Season tickets are arriving in the mail. Teams are strapping up their pads. Predictions and analysis flood media outlets such as ESPN, Fox Sports, and Bleacher Report. Your Sports Illustrated college football preview with the regional cover arrives.
Ready or not, the 2008 college football season has arrived and has captivated the attention of the sports world. There is a lot of uncertainty heading into the season.
Many fans wonder, how good is our new recruiting class? Will Coach (insert name here) finally deliver on his championship promise? Is it too early to make flight reservations for Miami in January?
There's no need to worry, college football fans. I am offering you five guarantees you can count on for the 2008 season of college football.
1. Tim Tebow will not repeat as the Heisman Trophy winner.
As a Gators fan, it pains me to make this statement. However, I must face the truth.
Tebow had insane stats last season, racking up 3,286 yards and 32 touchdowns through the air. In addition, he led the Gators with 895 rushing yards and set the SEC record for most rushing touchdowns in a season with 23.
This season, however, the Heisman field is crowded. With the likes of Ohio State halfback Chris Wells, Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell, and Georgia halfback Knowshon Moreno competing, Tebow will have a tough time defending his title.
Florida will also field a strong running game this season, as opposed to last fall, limiting Tebow's carries and rushing touchdowns.
Tebow will be a finalist, no doubt about it. However, he will not be giving an acceptance speech in New York this December.
2. The Missouri Tigers will win the Big 12.
Although Missouri is a popular pick to win the conference, many experts are going with Oklahoma as the 2008 Big 12 champion. However, I firmly believe that Missouri is the team to beat in the Big 12.
Led by 2007 Heisman finalist quarterback Chase Daniel, the Tigers return six starters on offense, including All-American receiver Jeremy Maclin. Daniel and Maclin should connect for a lot of yardage and many touchdowns in 2008.
If that's not enough, Mizzou returns nine starters on defense and plays two of its toughest opponents, Illinois and Kansas, at neutral sites. Even if the Tigers stumble at Texas in mid-October, they should still win their division and the conference.
3. The winner of the Brigham Young-Utah game will win the Mountain West Conference and crash the BCS party.
BYU and Utah are loaded. Although the Cougars only return three starters on defense, the offense should be able to pick up the slack. Quarterback Max Hall returns to lead the offense after recording 3,848 passing yards in 2007, the best total in the Mountain West.
As for the Utah Utes, the running game will be lethal thanks to senior halfback Darrell Mack. Mack amassed 1,204 rushing yards on only 253 carries last season, recording a phenomenal average of 4.8 yards per carry.
17 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
BabyTate 11 months ago
I like everything you have presented. I do submit that Texas Tech will be a threat to Missouri.
You have an excellent handle on reality.
Terrific article.
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Joseph Morgan 11 months ago
Texas Tech will be a force in the Big XII and should make it interesting.
Thanks for the feedback, BabyTate!
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Mitch at sportschatplace.com 11 months ago
I like that you make some bold predictions and put them out there, nothing wrong with that. Unfortunately you may be eating your words on a few of them. While since WVU hasn't figured out how to beat USF and there's a lot of talent out there between Tim Tebow and another Heisman my guess is you are probably in trouble by way of picking the championship game participants and the Mizzou pick. I think it could be the Sooners raining on your parade in both cases. While Oklahoma has been a post season disaster of late a light schedule loaded with home games really goes a long way. The BYU-Utah winner will have to run the table to get to a BCSe game, to be honest I don't think either of their schedules are soft enough that it's going to happen, we will definitely find out.
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Joseph Morgan 11 months ago
I think that Utah and BYU have a definite chance of running the table. They just can't take their opponents lightly. I believe that the winner of that game will go to a BCS bowl. But as you said, we will find out.
Oklahoma is very good. Very good. However, they will have to face Texas and Kansas in back-to-back weeks. Although one is a neutral site game and the other is at home, those two are still very tough opponents and Oklahoma will have to bring thei rbest game two weeks in a row to beat those two teams. Are they capable of winning both games? Absolutely. Could they lose one or both? It's a definite possibility.
Also, if the Sooners do run the table, I have them losing to Mizzou in the Big XII title game. However, I've been wrong before and that's what is so great about predictions and guarantees.
Thanks for the feedback and keep reading!
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Jim Johnson 11 months ago
Noel Devine is overrated. He's fast, but weighs next to nothing. I could tackle him if I could catch him.
Why are so many people hyping this kid? Because of one good game against MD? Puh-leeze.
WVU will go 4-3 in the Big East this year, losing to Cincy, Pitt (again!), and USF (again!).
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Joseph Morgan 11 months ago
In a spread offense, size doesn't matter as much as speed. If Devine gets the ball in space...he's gone.
I'm sure you could tackle him, but I can guarantee you won't catch him unless you run a 4.4 second 40. It will be a matter if anyone can catch Devine when he's in the open field.
Thanks for your response!
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Chris Copeland 11 months ago
USF won't beat WVU in December- the Bulls always have a tough time in cold weather...
However, WVU's defense will be pretty bad this season with only 3 starters returning, and even if USF loses to WVU, they still could win the BE...
Great O + bad D = 3-5 loss season- just ask Michigan
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Mark Stickel 11 months ago
Just you have to replace x amount of starters, doesn't necessarily mean the unit will be bad (doesn't help, but doesn't always hurt), so for you or ANYONE saying that the D will be bad...it's a crap shoot. No one knows. Everybody thought the D would be bad last year and look what they did. Now they actually have D coaches that actually know what they are doing (I'm not knocking Tall, but Gibby...hell yeah). And there are 4 starters returning, 5 if you count Liebig who sat out last year to help his family.
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Michael Bergman 11 months ago
Guarantees?!?! I mean, I like predictions and bravado, but you have a little bit too much confidence concerning some predictions that are anything but foregone conclusions.
1. While I do think Mizzou will rep the North even with a loss or two, I have absolutely no confidence in them to win the championship game under all that pressure. I'm not disrespecting them, I think Chase is great. I just don't believe in Pinkel and think that OU or Texas has too much experience. If Tech wins the south, then all bets are off.
2. The OSU/USC winner vs. the UF/UGA winner. UF and UGA are both in the SEC. Anything can happen. I really don't need to explain further, but I will. Have you seen the arrests and injuries UGA is racking up? Combine that with the toughest schedule in the nation and I think the odds of them losing at least one game is very very good. UF's defense will have to prove they're back before I lay down any serious money on them. And again I remind you, It's the SEC! As much as I hate the aroggance of that fan base, all the teams are good, and you could field the best team in the country and still lose a game.
Secondly, I'm not so sure the loser of the USC/OSU game still doesn't have a chance for the NC game. While I don't think voters will want a rematch of this game, I think it's possible. Both schools have managable schedule that will really only test them a couple times while not being too soft to drop them in the BCS. If the SEC teams beat eachother up like last year and have 2 losses, and these two teams are undefeated or have one loss, there's no way they don't get in over the SEC team.
Are you completely disregarding the Big 12?!?!?! 5 teams in the top 14!!!! No other conference can claim this. While I pray everyday that they don't, OU can make it to the NC game if it stays focused. Kansas won a BCS bowl last year!!! Mizzou is good, you just said they'd win the Big 12. While I don't believe in them, everyone's darkhorse is Tech. Texas has tons of talent and is a completely new and possessed team on defense. If we can get over the inexperience and win our games, we deserve to go. I believe Texas has the 2nd hardest schedule in the land, facing all 4 of the other Big 12 teams in the top 14.
It's a nice prediction to make because those 4 teams are so good, and the matchups are so potentially amazing, but you really got that idea from other writers who were going for a gimmick instead of really looking at the possibilities. If UGA and UF are both undefeated coming into their game, I'll...I dunno... shave my head, glue my hands together, I dunno, something bet worthy. I just don't see it happening.
All of that being said, I like the willingness to take a stand. Not criticizing, just saying you're probably wrong.
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Joseph Morgan 11 months ago
I think Oklahoma is an excellent football team, don't get me wrong. I just have a gut feeling about Missouri and I think this is the year that they'll win it. I have the utmost respect for Bob Stoops and the Sooners, but I think Mizzou wins the rematch of last season's Big XII title game under the leadership of Daniel at QB. I knew that someone would bring Oklahoma up and rightly so. They field a very good team this season.
I also have a lot of respect for the Big XII. They're right up there with the SEC as the two best conferences in college football. However, the rankings will hurt their champion (Mizzou) in the BCS computers. Oklahoma is ranked in the top 5, but if my predictions play out, the Sooners will fall in the rankings and the Tigers will be on the outside looking in because of preseason rankings, which is wrong and will increase the need for a playoff system.
As for the my title game prediction, if Ohio State loses to USC, it puts them in a hole. Regardless of how unfair it is, Ohio State has to make up ground for its losses in the past two title games which is ridiculous, but unfortunately true.
Ok, now to the SEC. Here's how I see it. The SEC is stacked. However, every year, there is that one team that rises above the rest (see 2003 LSU, 2004 Auburn, 2006 Florida) and finishes the season undefeated or with only one loss. I believe that Florida and Georgia both have the potential to finish the year undefeated or with only one loss. Not to discredit Arkansas's win over the Tigers last year, but LSU should have had only one loss as well, they just fell apart in that game.
None of Georgia's players that are vital to their success will be lost for the season due to run-ins with the law. And I'm not the only one who believes Florida's defense has improved enough to make them a national title contender. Only time will tell, in all honesty.
My title game pick is entirely original. Though it is a popular pick, I formed it on my own. I based it on how I think the BCS will determine things and my overall analysis of the teams.
I hope UGA and UF don't face each other undefeated, because it will be difficult for you to comment on my future articles if you're hands are glued together. Thanks for your feedback and your opinions! It made me defend my picks and I enjoy the dicussion. Keep reading!
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Brett Lissenden 11 months ago
Good ideas. I think we all should have learned that nothing is a sure thing after last season though.
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Joseph Morgan 11 months ago
You're right nothing is certain in college football. All we can do is make our guarantees and hope for the best. Thanks for the feedback!
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Jeff Johnson 11 months ago
I have to say it -- I agree with Michael. I don't believe that Mizzou will win the Big 12 Championship this year. Granted, Chase Daniels is an amazing quarterback. I have really enjoyed watching him play. But, now the cat is out of the bag so to speak. Every team now has a season's worth of game footage on Daniels. Everyone will be ready for him. Not to say that he's going to have a bad year mind you. There are a number of Big 12 teams that he will run over (Iowa State, Nebraska and Colorado at least).
Also, I'm not discounting the resurgence of the Big 12 North. But with all of the talent and returning starters in the South, whoever comes out of that division will emerge not only bloodied but much stronger for the effort. Mizzou should at least get the at-large BCS bid from the conference.
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Timothy Croley 11 months ago
Like your views here. My only concern would be the FL/UGA winner going all the way. I would love to see that happen, especially for UGA, but the winner would still have the conference game, considering they can make it there. Last year I would have picked both of these schools to be at the top of the SEC, but UT found its way to Atlanta over both. I just feel that the schedule ahead of both schools may be too much. That being said, if either manage to go undefeated and make it to the SEC CG, go ahead and buy your tickets to Miami!
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Jimson Cuenta 10 months ago
"3. The winner of the Brigham Young-Utah game will win the Mountain West Conference and crash the BCS party.
BYU and Utah are loaded. Although the Cougars only return three starters on defense, the offense should be able to pick up the slack. Quarterback Max Hall returns to lead the offense after recording 3,848 passing yards in 2007, the best total in the Mountain West.
As for the Utah Utes, the running game will be lethal thanks to senior halfback Darrell Mack. Mack amassed 1,204 rushing yards on only 253 carries last season, recording a phenomenal average of 4.8 yards per carry.
Mack will be running behind an experienced offensive line that returns four starters from the previous season. Right guard Robert Conley and the rest of the line will pave the way for Mack to eat up tons of yardage throughout the 2008 season.
With the exception of a trip to Michigan for the Utes and a visit from UCLA for the Cougars, Utah and BYU should breeze through their schedules to their climactic showdown in the final week of the regular season.
The winner in this showdown will be looking to upset the at-large team they face in a BCS bowl game."
I couldn't agree more with this one... because I have Utah going UNDEFEATED this season, lol :)
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Lauren Green 10 months ago
I can't agree that it is a FOREGONE CONCLUSION that Tebow won't repeat as the Heisman winner. I certainly wouldn't bet on him winning it, but I maintain a level of hope. What I think it comes down to is whether or not we make it to the BCS championship. If we do, I think they just might give it to him again. If we don't make it to the game, then I don't think it has a possibility of happening.
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Joseph Morgan 10 months ago
Well, as much as I'd like to see Tebow win again, his situation will be similar to Matt Lenart's in 2005. I really just can't see Tebow winning again. I hope I'm wrong. I'd love to see Tebow make it two straight. I'm just not very confident that it will happen. Thanks for the feedback!
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