Sloopy45
Pimp Minister Sinister
BIG TEN HEAVIES:
Ohio State Buckeyes: 10-1 (7-1 in Big Ten). This team could easily run the table with an unusually light schedule for Ohio State. However, I can't pick them to do so until a legitimate ground game shows its face. You can't win the National Championship at Ohio State without running the ball. Having scUM at the 'Shoe this year helps a lot, as well.
Reason for 10-1: The Buckeyes should be favored to win each and every game they play in this year. However, the aforementioned running game (or lack thereof) is a big question.
Player to Watch: Insert Freshman RB here. Either Pittman or Haw (or both) will have to step up and become dynamic, work-horse type backs if this team is going anywhere in '04.
dUMb: 9-2 (6-2 in Big Ten). Lloyd Carr has shown a tendency to lose a game that he shouldn't each and every year (with the exception of '97). I can't see that trend ending considering he's got an inexperienced QB and RB starting (and this situation is VERY unusual at scUM).
Reason for 9-2: An upset here, and an ass pounding at the 'Shoe there. All the others are wins.
Player to Watch: Steve Breaston So. WR. Is electric in the return game. Is one of many interesting young players that dUMb has on its roster. If you can watch them without tossing your cookies, that is.
CONTENDERS:
USC: 12-0 (8-0 in Pac-10). Anything less than an undefeated season would be a dissapointment for Pete Carroll's crew. They backed into a National Championship last year, so now go run the table and earn it. They have weaknesses (as shown in Game 1 againt Va Tech) at WR and on Defense, but they have a great QB, an unbelievably deep and talented backfield, big-time talent all across the field, a great Special Teams, and there's no other big-time contenders in the Pac-10, or Bear Traps on the schedule. Everything should be in place.
Reason for 12-0: I can't pick out a loss on their schedule, can you?? Cal is at home, and .... nothing. @ BYU? @ Stanford? ASU? Washington? @ WSU? Notre Dame? @ UCLA?? Where is the loss?
Player to Watch: I'm going the unconventional route and saying Jeff Byers. I want to see if the hype matches the player and just how dominating this kid is.
Oklahoma Sooners: 9-2 (6-2 in Big XII). The Sooners have three big questions to answer from '03: 1.) Is Jason White legit? (Sure didn't look like it in the last 2 games), 2.) Can they consistently run the ball? (They've got to scrap the FSU-style feature scat back), and 3.) Can the D-Line go 13 games without taking some critical games off?
Reason for 9-2: The Sooners should be a lock to go 5-0, but it gets schetchy from there: @ K-State (Stoops has a habit of following a bad loss to an opponent with another bad loss to an opponent, and this one's in Manhattan), @ Oklahoma State (Stoops has a bad past here but Rashaun Woods is gone), and @ Texas A&M. I can't pick Stoops to run the table in that stretch, and I see 2 losses somewhere. A&M could be a darkhorse to beat them: Franchione's in his second year at A&M, Stoops has major ghosts at College Station, and Reggie McNeal has beaten the Sooners before. Plus, the Aggies will be looking for major revenge after the "Lupica Bowl" 77-0 drubbing in Norman last year (they even did a feature piece on that game in a recent S.I.).
Player to Watch: Adrian Peterson, Fr. RB. OU has got to get production from a big, fast RB who can carry the load and establish the ground game. Peterson's got to be it. Kejuan Jones is too small (5-9, 191) and Jason White's weaknesses in the passing game have been exposed. They have to show a legit ground game to have any shot at the OB this year. If Peterson can pull off a Clarett-type Freshman campaign, the Sooners will go back to the BCS Title game. Bank on it.
Georgia Bulldogs: 10-1 (7-1 in SEC). Georgia has a lot to prove this year. The OL was inexperienced and unproductive last year, and might not be all that better this year. They've got the SEC Title game to bail them out of any early season loss, and should be considered a legit threat to go to the Orange Bowl. They can even sneak in with an SEC East loss in the Title game.
Reason for 10-1: The bottom line is this: Georgia cannot win at the Cocktail Party, and until proven otherwise, this is a loss. Talk about John Cooper's ghosts vs. scUM, talk about Mack Brown's ghosts vs. Bob Stoops, and they're nothing compared to Florida's dominance over the 'Dawgs in the last decade, plus. They've even made Ron Zook look good in this game, and these were Florida's down years! Georgia must win this game to propel themselves to the next level.
SLEEPERS:
Kansas State Wildcats: 11-1 (8-1 in Big XII): Considering the fact that Coach Snyder won't let little things like, oh, academics or alleged rape cases keep his star players off the field, we know that K-State will have all the pieces in place for a National Title run.
Reason for 11-1: The schedule & Darren Sproles. They're a little light in talent compared to the heavyweights, but they hardly play a warm body. I should make this an honorary section in my pre-season picks, because its always a good laugh: K-State's OOC Schedule: Western Kentucky, Fresno State, & Louisiana-Lft. They got Oklahoma at home, Missouri on the road, and nothing more than that. I'm picking them to win those games, and I can't buy all these Missou picks just yet (just because they have Brad Smith doesn't mean they're a good team, they were 8-3 last year and are still behind the Big XII heavies in terms of talent). Plus, K-State took a huge step forward last year with its win against Oklahoma. Don't kid yourselves about that. Sproles will control the ground game on KSU's way to the Big XII Title. They will get upset by someone (I can't see them in the OB), just don't know who.
Player to Watch: Darren Sproles. Sure, he didn't do squat against the Bucks D last year, but not many RBs ever do. His numbers are staggering: 1,986 yards and 16 TDs in '03, and should get better. He should be the pre-season Heisman Front Runner.
NOT QUITE THERE YET:
Miami Hurricanes: 10-1 (7-1 in ACC). Miami has a lot of talent, and some great exciting young players in Ryan Moore, Tyrone Moss, Baraka Atkins, and established stars like Eric Winston and Antrel Rolle. But, you don't run the table with Brock Berlin at QB. Sorry. He will blow a game for Miami at some point.
Reason for 10-1: They will beat FSU at home, and they will run a horrible schedule (by Miami's standards), except for one game (and you heard it here first): @ Virginia, November 13th. Odd Couple fans will remember that date as being the day that Felix Ungar was asked to remove himself from his place of residence, but that's besides the point.
Players to Watch: Baraka Atkins So. DE. This kid is an animal. He gets to the QB, then gets to his family. Definately worth the price of admission. Honorable mention: Ryan Moore, So. WR: has as much athletic ability as any WR in the Nation.
LSU Tigers: 10-2 (7-2 in SEC). LSU could come back to the pack a little bit in '04. They have talent all over, but there are big time questions at the QB position with unproven JaMarcus Russell and Marcus Randall replacing Matt Mauck.
Reason for 10-2: Not to sound like Phil Steele, but if some of you remember this same thread on BN last year, I picked LSU to go to the Sugar Bowl, mostly because their schedule was favorable. This year's is not. From Sep. 18th to October 9th (in the span of 4 weeks & 4 games), the Tigers play @ Auburn, @ Georgia, and @ Florida. Its very likely that the Tigers go 1-2 in those games with a new QB (just getting his feet wet) and are out of the National Title race early. See my SEC Title game pick below.
Player to Watch: Justin Vincent, So. TB. The kid can fly, is explosive, and was a key contributor to LSU down the stretch. Look for a big year out of him, and possibly a darkhorse for the Heisman.
Florida Gators: 10-2 (8-1 in SEC). The Gators are loaded on both sides of the ball, and have a somewhat favorable schedule. The Leak-Fason (or Wynn)-Caldwell QB-RB-WR could be the best young trio of its kind in the Nation. But, Zook and the coaching staff haven't proven squat and haven't proven that they can win the big game. Plus, the pressure's on because the Ol' Ball Coach is looming.
Reason for 10-2: I'm picking the Gators to run the table until FSU. I think they're a young talented team with a lot of potential, but the Zook and inexperience factor keep them back this year.
Player to Watch: DeShaun Wynn, So. TB. Is behind Ciatrick Fason on the depth chart, but will most likely split the carries with the Junior. Has loads of potential, and besides, its great to see an Ohio kid light up the "speed" state.
PRETENDERS:
Florida State Seminoles: 9-2 (6-2 in ACC): I see them losing a game after Miami, and I can't, just can't pick them against the Canes. This is becoming a very one-side match-up, and the "Wide Right" Curse is reaching Curse of the Bambino proportions. Remember, the FSU punter had as much to do with blowing the '02 Classic as much as Beitia's missed FG with time running out did - none of the kickers can get in done is So. Florida.
Reason for 9-2: They should be favored against every opponent besides Miami, but Rix will blow one that they shouldn't lose. Bank on it. He's looked like a right handed Steve Bellisari to me since his Freshman Year, and hasn't improved.
Texas Longhorns: 10-2 (7-2 in Big XII): You heard it here first: UT will lose to Oklahoma, but win the Big XII South.
Reason for 10-2: The schedule is just too easy. Even Mack Brown can't screw this one up. Throw in the sure-fire loss to Oklahoma, and what else do you have? A bunch of N Texas, Rice, Baylor, Okie State, and A&M at home, and a little @ TT, @ Colorado, @ Arkansas, and @ Kansas. The only semi-tough home game is Missouri. There's nothing that resembles a loss on that schedule.
Tennessee Vols: 9-2 (6-2 in SEC). Tennessee could be a sleeper in the SEC, and possibly get a good shot at the Orange Bowl. Not so much for the overwhelming talent (its weaker compared to other years), but look at the schedule: they only have 2 losable games (Florida, @ Georgia).
Reason for 9-2: Because you can't spell Citrus without U.T. If the Vols beat Florida, they can easily back their way into the OB if the SEC East loses the SEC Title Game (see: Nebraska, '01). But, I'm picking Florida to win and have a bounce back year. Besides that, who else is UT going to lose to? Kentucky? "Arch-rival" Vandy? A fallen from graces 'Bama? Notre Dame (see: 'Bama description)? Ain't happenin'. The schedule is easy, and **** they could back their way into the OB. Don't laugh, Di - its very possible.
QUICK HITS:
West Virginia: Please. A horrible conference and an easy schedule do not a legit Title contender make. They can make a BCS Bowl and will get bounced. Hard.
Notre Dame: Willingham got too much press for the resurgance in '02, and too much blame for the flop in '03. The Subway alum would be foolish to not give him a fighting shot with his own kids.
Virginia: Will be a Pre-Season Top 10 team in '05. Good talent, but has a tough stretch run with road games @ FSU and @ rival Va Tech towards the end of the season. Also plays a home game in Miami that could decide the fate of the ACC and maybe the Orange Bowl.
Cal: The Fighting Tedfords will surprise some people again. Watch out for them in the Pac-10.
CONFERENCE PICKS:
Big Ten: Who else? The Ohio State motherfuckin' University Buckeyes, beyotch!
SEC Title Game: Florida vs. LSU. LSU avenges an earlier season loss and hands the Gators its 2nd loss in a row to end the season. fireronzook.com gets more hits than any web site in the world the next day, and 500 of them come from Steve Spurrier's laptop.
Big XII Title Game: Texas vs. 1 Loss K-State. KSU wins a tight game against the worst big game coach in the country, and heads to its 2nd BCS Bowl ever.
ACC: Miami Hurricanes.
Pac-10: USC
FED-EX ORANGE BOWL: USC vs. one of the one loss teams I have above (OSU, Miami, Georgia, or K-State).
Ohio State Buckeyes: 10-1 (7-1 in Big Ten). This team could easily run the table with an unusually light schedule for Ohio State. However, I can't pick them to do so until a legitimate ground game shows its face. You can't win the National Championship at Ohio State without running the ball. Having scUM at the 'Shoe this year helps a lot, as well.
Reason for 10-1: The Buckeyes should be favored to win each and every game they play in this year. However, the aforementioned running game (or lack thereof) is a big question.
Player to Watch: Insert Freshman RB here. Either Pittman or Haw (or both) will have to step up and become dynamic, work-horse type backs if this team is going anywhere in '04.
dUMb: 9-2 (6-2 in Big Ten). Lloyd Carr has shown a tendency to lose a game that he shouldn't each and every year (with the exception of '97). I can't see that trend ending considering he's got an inexperienced QB and RB starting (and this situation is VERY unusual at scUM).
Reason for 9-2: An upset here, and an ass pounding at the 'Shoe there. All the others are wins.
Player to Watch: Steve Breaston So. WR. Is electric in the return game. Is one of many interesting young players that dUMb has on its roster. If you can watch them without tossing your cookies, that is.
CONTENDERS:
USC: 12-0 (8-0 in Pac-10). Anything less than an undefeated season would be a dissapointment for Pete Carroll's crew. They backed into a National Championship last year, so now go run the table and earn it. They have weaknesses (as shown in Game 1 againt Va Tech) at WR and on Defense, but they have a great QB, an unbelievably deep and talented backfield, big-time talent all across the field, a great Special Teams, and there's no other big-time contenders in the Pac-10, or Bear Traps on the schedule. Everything should be in place.
Reason for 12-0: I can't pick out a loss on their schedule, can you?? Cal is at home, and .... nothing. @ BYU? @ Stanford? ASU? Washington? @ WSU? Notre Dame? @ UCLA?? Where is the loss?
Player to Watch: I'm going the unconventional route and saying Jeff Byers. I want to see if the hype matches the player and just how dominating this kid is.
Oklahoma Sooners: 9-2 (6-2 in Big XII). The Sooners have three big questions to answer from '03: 1.) Is Jason White legit? (Sure didn't look like it in the last 2 games), 2.) Can they consistently run the ball? (They've got to scrap the FSU-style feature scat back), and 3.) Can the D-Line go 13 games without taking some critical games off?
Reason for 9-2: The Sooners should be a lock to go 5-0, but it gets schetchy from there: @ K-State (Stoops has a habit of following a bad loss to an opponent with another bad loss to an opponent, and this one's in Manhattan), @ Oklahoma State (Stoops has a bad past here but Rashaun Woods is gone), and @ Texas A&M. I can't pick Stoops to run the table in that stretch, and I see 2 losses somewhere. A&M could be a darkhorse to beat them: Franchione's in his second year at A&M, Stoops has major ghosts at College Station, and Reggie McNeal has beaten the Sooners before. Plus, the Aggies will be looking for major revenge after the "Lupica Bowl" 77-0 drubbing in Norman last year (they even did a feature piece on that game in a recent S.I.).
Player to Watch: Adrian Peterson, Fr. RB. OU has got to get production from a big, fast RB who can carry the load and establish the ground game. Peterson's got to be it. Kejuan Jones is too small (5-9, 191) and Jason White's weaknesses in the passing game have been exposed. They have to show a legit ground game to have any shot at the OB this year. If Peterson can pull off a Clarett-type Freshman campaign, the Sooners will go back to the BCS Title game. Bank on it.
Georgia Bulldogs: 10-1 (7-1 in SEC). Georgia has a lot to prove this year. The OL was inexperienced and unproductive last year, and might not be all that better this year. They've got the SEC Title game to bail them out of any early season loss, and should be considered a legit threat to go to the Orange Bowl. They can even sneak in with an SEC East loss in the Title game.
Reason for 10-1: The bottom line is this: Georgia cannot win at the Cocktail Party, and until proven otherwise, this is a loss. Talk about John Cooper's ghosts vs. scUM, talk about Mack Brown's ghosts vs. Bob Stoops, and they're nothing compared to Florida's dominance over the 'Dawgs in the last decade, plus. They've even made Ron Zook look good in this game, and these were Florida's down years! Georgia must win this game to propel themselves to the next level.
SLEEPERS:
Kansas State Wildcats: 11-1 (8-1 in Big XII): Considering the fact that Coach Snyder won't let little things like, oh, academics or alleged rape cases keep his star players off the field, we know that K-State will have all the pieces in place for a National Title run.
Reason for 11-1: The schedule & Darren Sproles. They're a little light in talent compared to the heavyweights, but they hardly play a warm body. I should make this an honorary section in my pre-season picks, because its always a good laugh: K-State's OOC Schedule: Western Kentucky, Fresno State, & Louisiana-Lft. They got Oklahoma at home, Missouri on the road, and nothing more than that. I'm picking them to win those games, and I can't buy all these Missou picks just yet (just because they have Brad Smith doesn't mean they're a good team, they were 8-3 last year and are still behind the Big XII heavies in terms of talent). Plus, K-State took a huge step forward last year with its win against Oklahoma. Don't kid yourselves about that. Sproles will control the ground game on KSU's way to the Big XII Title. They will get upset by someone (I can't see them in the OB), just don't know who.
Player to Watch: Darren Sproles. Sure, he didn't do squat against the Bucks D last year, but not many RBs ever do. His numbers are staggering: 1,986 yards and 16 TDs in '03, and should get better. He should be the pre-season Heisman Front Runner.
NOT QUITE THERE YET:
Miami Hurricanes: 10-1 (7-1 in ACC). Miami has a lot of talent, and some great exciting young players in Ryan Moore, Tyrone Moss, Baraka Atkins, and established stars like Eric Winston and Antrel Rolle. But, you don't run the table with Brock Berlin at QB. Sorry. He will blow a game for Miami at some point.
Reason for 10-1: They will beat FSU at home, and they will run a horrible schedule (by Miami's standards), except for one game (and you heard it here first): @ Virginia, November 13th. Odd Couple fans will remember that date as being the day that Felix Ungar was asked to remove himself from his place of residence, but that's besides the point.
Players to Watch: Baraka Atkins So. DE. This kid is an animal. He gets to the QB, then gets to his family. Definately worth the price of admission. Honorable mention: Ryan Moore, So. WR: has as much athletic ability as any WR in the Nation.
LSU Tigers: 10-2 (7-2 in SEC). LSU could come back to the pack a little bit in '04. They have talent all over, but there are big time questions at the QB position with unproven JaMarcus Russell and Marcus Randall replacing Matt Mauck.
Reason for 10-2: Not to sound like Phil Steele, but if some of you remember this same thread on BN last year, I picked LSU to go to the Sugar Bowl, mostly because their schedule was favorable. This year's is not. From Sep. 18th to October 9th (in the span of 4 weeks & 4 games), the Tigers play @ Auburn, @ Georgia, and @ Florida. Its very likely that the Tigers go 1-2 in those games with a new QB (just getting his feet wet) and are out of the National Title race early. See my SEC Title game pick below.
Player to Watch: Justin Vincent, So. TB. The kid can fly, is explosive, and was a key contributor to LSU down the stretch. Look for a big year out of him, and possibly a darkhorse for the Heisman.
Florida Gators: 10-2 (8-1 in SEC). The Gators are loaded on both sides of the ball, and have a somewhat favorable schedule. The Leak-Fason (or Wynn)-Caldwell QB-RB-WR could be the best young trio of its kind in the Nation. But, Zook and the coaching staff haven't proven squat and haven't proven that they can win the big game. Plus, the pressure's on because the Ol' Ball Coach is looming.
Reason for 10-2: I'm picking the Gators to run the table until FSU. I think they're a young talented team with a lot of potential, but the Zook and inexperience factor keep them back this year.
Player to Watch: DeShaun Wynn, So. TB. Is behind Ciatrick Fason on the depth chart, but will most likely split the carries with the Junior. Has loads of potential, and besides, its great to see an Ohio kid light up the "speed" state.
PRETENDERS:
Florida State Seminoles: 9-2 (6-2 in ACC): I see them losing a game after Miami, and I can't, just can't pick them against the Canes. This is becoming a very one-side match-up, and the "Wide Right" Curse is reaching Curse of the Bambino proportions. Remember, the FSU punter had as much to do with blowing the '02 Classic as much as Beitia's missed FG with time running out did - none of the kickers can get in done is So. Florida.
Reason for 9-2: They should be favored against every opponent besides Miami, but Rix will blow one that they shouldn't lose. Bank on it. He's looked like a right handed Steve Bellisari to me since his Freshman Year, and hasn't improved.
Texas Longhorns: 10-2 (7-2 in Big XII): You heard it here first: UT will lose to Oklahoma, but win the Big XII South.
Reason for 10-2: The schedule is just too easy. Even Mack Brown can't screw this one up. Throw in the sure-fire loss to Oklahoma, and what else do you have? A bunch of N Texas, Rice, Baylor, Okie State, and A&M at home, and a little @ TT, @ Colorado, @ Arkansas, and @ Kansas. The only semi-tough home game is Missouri. There's nothing that resembles a loss on that schedule.
Tennessee Vols: 9-2 (6-2 in SEC). Tennessee could be a sleeper in the SEC, and possibly get a good shot at the Orange Bowl. Not so much for the overwhelming talent (its weaker compared to other years), but look at the schedule: they only have 2 losable games (Florida, @ Georgia).
Reason for 9-2: Because you can't spell Citrus without U.T. If the Vols beat Florida, they can easily back their way into the OB if the SEC East loses the SEC Title Game (see: Nebraska, '01). But, I'm picking Florida to win and have a bounce back year. Besides that, who else is UT going to lose to? Kentucky? "Arch-rival" Vandy? A fallen from graces 'Bama? Notre Dame (see: 'Bama description)? Ain't happenin'. The schedule is easy, and **** they could back their way into the OB. Don't laugh, Di - its very possible.
QUICK HITS:
West Virginia: Please. A horrible conference and an easy schedule do not a legit Title contender make. They can make a BCS Bowl and will get bounced. Hard.
Notre Dame: Willingham got too much press for the resurgance in '02, and too much blame for the flop in '03. The Subway alum would be foolish to not give him a fighting shot with his own kids.
Virginia: Will be a Pre-Season Top 10 team in '05. Good talent, but has a tough stretch run with road games @ FSU and @ rival Va Tech towards the end of the season. Also plays a home game in Miami that could decide the fate of the ACC and maybe the Orange Bowl.
Cal: The Fighting Tedfords will surprise some people again. Watch out for them in the Pac-10.
CONFERENCE PICKS:
Big Ten: Who else? The Ohio State motherfuckin' University Buckeyes, beyotch!
SEC Title Game: Florida vs. LSU. LSU avenges an earlier season loss and hands the Gators its 2nd loss in a row to end the season. fireronzook.com gets more hits than any web site in the world the next day, and 500 of them come from Steve Spurrier's laptop.
Big XII Title Game: Texas vs. 1 Loss K-State. KSU wins a tight game against the worst big game coach in the country, and heads to its 2nd BCS Bowl ever.
ACC: Miami Hurricanes.
Pac-10: USC
FED-EX ORANGE BOWL: USC vs. one of the one loss teams I have above (OSU, Miami, Georgia, or K-State).