As the bowl games wind down and the 43-year-old accountant who "doesn’t even like football" sits safely atop your office pool standings, there becomes only one thing left for us non-Buckeye/Tiger fans to focus our attention on: next year.
My friend put it best: "I could actually impregnate a woman and become a father before college football kicks off again."
But if that’s not your idea of a good time, try taking a stab at next year’s preseason rankings instead.
Not sure where to start? Here’s some help.
First, remember that college football seasons often carry a theme throughout the year. 2006 felt like an election year, pitting the SEC and Big Ten conferences against one another in a bitter national debate. Michigan vs. Florida for the right to play the almighty Ohio State Buckeyes. ESPN and CBS commentators were even joining in the war of words.
The polarizing effect was reminiscent of what remains after a year of mudslinging between Democrats and Republicans. And in the end, a "surprise" champion was crowned, and the term "SEC Speed" replaced "three yards and a cloud of dust" in our sports lexicon.
2007 was the year of the upset. Of uncertainty. Of undefeatable teams falling to unimaginable opponents. And most of all, it was a year where young, underdeveloped teams often flashed their gaudy talent before tripping over their own shoelaces.
Regardless of the outcome in the BCS National Championship game on Monday, which features two teams who both lost games in November, this will go down as the year of the unfinished product.
This would naturally make next year the big one—the year of the powerhouse! A season where elitist fans will likely have a primed and polished team on the field to back up their craziest fantasy predictions. There will be no two-loss teams playing in the title game, and one loss might be enough to end your season a week too early.
So call me crazy and throw stones as I climb out on this limb and predict the preseason Top 10. (Sorry WVU fans. Your absence is not from a lack of respect; it’s from a lack of knowledge about who will return and who will coach your team.
10. Clemson Tigers – Like those few great shots in the middle of a disappointing round of golf, the Tigers win just enough games to keep you interested. They are my wild-card selection and are only here because of two things—CJ Spiller, and a hunch that sooner or later, they’ve got to get to the ACC championship game.
9. Auburn Tigers – The team who always comes to play defense has now decided to adopt the spread offense. Personnel typically takes a year or two to match a new system, but as soon as the Tigers can consistently score points, look out.
28 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
David Williams about 1 year ago
Good stuff Eric. While it is a little early to look at this stuff considering transfers and juniors leaving for the draft, I can't argue with this list. Georgia has to arguably be the favorite considering the youth of this team. Three freshman O-linemen, a freshman RB, sophomore QB, and that's just the offensive side.
USC vs. OSU is going to be an incredible out of conference game early on in the 2008 season. I can't wait.
Edit Comment Cancel
Eric Brown about 1 year ago
It's wayyyy too early, which makes it more fun.
With rumors of D. Coord. Will Muschamp leaving Auburn and after seeing WVU's performance last night, I'd probably swap those teams already.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
I think WV made a bad emotional hiring when they gave the green light to Bill Stewart. Is he really the best candidate?
Plus, that dude hugs way too much.
And crazy Owen Schmitt's absence will play a bigger role than most would think.
The SEC East is too tough now to simply hand it over to GA vs FL. Tennessee, like them or not, ugly play or not, will always be in the mix. SC upset GA this year--who knows what they will do next year, or what Stephen Garcia will do. And FL hasn't found a defense yet.
Kansas?
Edit Comment Cancel
Grant Richey about 1 year ago
OU has the most talent returning on both sides of the ball. Murray, Brown, Bradford, Kelly, Iglesis, and an offensive line of all SENIORS. Plus a dominate defence. They will play in the national championship for sure. And the west virgina loss will fuel the intensity for the season.
Edit Comment Cancel
Robert Cannon about 1 year ago
Boise State was suppose to fuel the intensity!! What happened!! Stoops is a great coach but seems to have a problem getting his teams ready for bowl games.
Edit Comment Cancel
Smith J. Howard about 1 year ago
Eric, did you see where Auburn's DC (Muschamp) might be headed to Texas? Plus, with Tony Franklin (new OC) in town, I really think the stable of RB and dual-threat QB's will be put to good use. The only problem—all of those QBs will still be young. Kodi Burns will be the oldest at as a true Soph. They supposedly have 2-3 others coming in next fall.
Edit Comment Cancel
Eric Brown about 1 year ago
Yes, that move by Muschamp happened after I posted this. It certainly doesn't bode well for the Tigers as he has been a tremendous asset for that team the past few years. They were first in the SEC in scoring defense and second in total defense this year.
I left off Texas with the fresh thought of Jamal Charles bolting to the NFL. It seems like every time I turned on the TV this year, the Longhorns were losing big in the second half. Then Charles would score about 12 touchdowns in the 4th quarter and they'd win every game by a couple of points. His absence seemed like a pretty big deal. But there is a lot of smoke regarding high school phenom Darrell Scott becoming a Longhorn (he's down to TX, Col, and UF) and if they land him, look out.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
WHY NOT PLAY ANY GAMES-- JUST LET THE SEC PLAY AND DECLARE THE WINNER NC
Edit Comment Cancel
john brewer about 1 year ago
very good idea. speed kills just ask colt.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
OU exposed as a bunch of fat slow people playing football, imposing their will on teams in their conference. Stoops used to winning on reputation, see what happens when a team plays as a team, not thinking of individual performance. I think for the last three years the same team has raised the bar for such powers as Georgia, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma. WVU may never win another bowl game, however they have stomped some high and mighty butt the last three years. Hopefully with most players returning the same will happen again. They will not give up and have been the underdog in every bowl so far.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
Yeah right
Edit Comment Cancel
Nino Colla about 1 year ago
Matt Stafford might be the key to it all. He's gonna be a junior. He had a real impressive Freshman year. If he puts it all together then Georgia just might be near unstoppable.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
I think we are jumping on the GA bandwagon a bit early. Stafford can be great, but he can also be terrible. And they are missing a big time receiver, and somehow GA receivers always end up dropping balls.
Remember that this team narrowly beat Vandy, Alabama, and Troy--and they were destroyed by Tenn.
GA's schedule next year is ridiculous; some games include: at South Carolina, at Arizona State, home vs. Bama, home vs. Tenn, at LSU, vs. FL in Jax, at Kentucky, at Auburn, and home vs. GT in the rivalry game. Yikes. There is no way they get through that unscathed. FL and Tennessee both have more favorable schedules.
Edit Comment Cancel
Smith J. Howard about 1 year ago
Remember hearing about how Massaquoi was supposed to be the "next big thing"? Unfortunately for PA announcers, broadcasters, and spellcheck systems everywhere "Q" hasn't had his name called as much as UGA supporters would've liked.
Edit Comment Cancel
john brewer about 1 year ago
no tennessee came out fast and got 4 scores in 18 minutes then the rest of the game was ga 14 tenn 7
kinda like uga did to the defending hational champs lsu in 2005 and the defending national champion gaytors this year with teboy
Edit Comment Cancel
Ben Gunby about 1 year ago
A.J. Green. Freshmen WR's can make big impacts, this much we know.
Second, Stafford hasn't been terrible in a long while now, he's really outgrown that.
This team also pretty handily beat Florida and Auburn
I agree though that the schedule is brutal. However, heading into the year, Georgia looks every bit the part of a #1 team.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
As much as I hate the dawgs I have to agree they look great. But all the sec schedules are brutal I think all play possibly 2 puff games and the rest. ouch and until this taken into "real consideration" they will possibly knock each other out considering the physical (more injuries) and emotional ( drained for the next game) toll a tough schedule places on any team.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
Tim you are never great and always terrible. SHUT UP.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim Pollock about 1 year ago
Anonymous Coward, great point. I am never great, but more importantly, I am always terrible.
You should consider making a profile and writing some of your own stuff. Then we can see how great you are. Or at least consider making an argument against mine.
ALL CAPS!
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
dude i think you made a good prediction. only one problem--you got my lsu tigers ranked too low. sure they are losing alot of leadership but at les miles does a good recruiting job and lsu will have alot of speed next year...again. they should at least be number 5. but you are a genius picking georgia over usc. GO SEC!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Leon Wynn about 1 year ago
I have made my case for UGA to be in the title hunt this year, but unfortunately, the cards did not fall how I would have liked them to. At this point in time, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the Dawgs should be #1 this year, and will certainly be #1 next year.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
GO VOLS!
Edit Comment Cancel
Frank Ahrens about 1 year ago
Clearly, it doesn't make any difference who is coaching WVU (Rodriguez/Stewart) or who is coming back (Steve Slaton out after first Fiesta Bowl series). WVU belongs in anyone's Top 5 2007 postseason/2008 preseason.
Edit Comment Cancel
John McClory about 1 year ago
Sanchez is solid enough, but I hear Mustain will be SCs choice for QB. If he's good enough to potentially start in the SEC then I think he could handle pac-10 duties.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
If dixon isn't hurt UO is national champs this year hands down. No one can stop that team when they are healthy. But with 2 starting recievers out, a back that was splitting time with stewart tearing an acl.. 2 starting linebackers missing major time. The ducks were set for the national title and ohio state wouldn't be able to touch them. Sorry georgia but a healthy oregon was more deserving of the national title shot.
Edit Comment Cancel
Ben Gunby about 1 year ago
WVU 2008 = Louisville 2007
Edit Comment Cancel
Anonymous about 1 year ago
dont forget about UGA's other recievers, MOMASS is coming back along with a speedy five star tavarius king, five star AJ GREEN, and also dont forget about Walt hill who red shirted last year and was considered one of the top recieving prospects coming out of highschool despite only playing his junior year. and the buzz this season was that the kid is SICK in practice. Oh and there is also a little guy named Caleb king who will be backing up Moreno, im suprised he hasnt transfered.
Edit Comment Cancel
Wade Peery about 1 year ago
Good stuff Eric--
I love Georgia at number 1, RB Knowhson Moreno is one of the best tailbacks I've ever seen in my life. New Jersey's all-time leading rusher might just race his way past Herschel Walker next year and lead the Bulldogs to that coveted Waterford crystal football.
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.