First Quarter Progress Report on My Preseason Predictions

Prior to the start of the season, I published an article detailing my top 10 predictions for the 2008 season.  Because roughly one quarter of the season is in the books, I've decided to do a quick progress report on these predictions. 

Which predictions have already been disproven?  Are any still feasible?  And are any still probable?

Without further ado, I revisit the predictions:

"10.  Georgia will not finish No. 1 in the country."

Well, this one looked promising after Week One, when USC leaped Georgia in the polls.  Still, Georgia has looked solid at times (ask ASU) and could very well end the season at No. 1.  Still, I'm sticking to my prediction. 

Along with this prediction, I also stated that Georgia would finish 3rd in the SEC East.  I am probably wrong on that one.  Georgia looks like one of the top 2 teams in the SEC East along with Florida.  An incredible run by Vandy could keep this one alive for me.

Interesting fact:  Four teams in the SEC East are undefeated and Steve Spurrier's and Phillip Fulmer's teams are not among them.

"9.  You will witness a historically close Heisman race and vote."

This one looks like it is still highly probable.  Tim Tebow has done nothing to drop himself from consideration.  He has 0 turnovers and is managing a very talented roster.  Top QBs on top teams are always contenders.

Meanwhile, several Big XII quarterbacks (Chase Daniel, Sam Bradford among others) are on fire right now, several running backs have Heisman-level stats (Knowshon Moreno, Javon Ringer, Charles Scott, etc.), and even some receivers like Jeremy Maclin and Michael Crabtree are still in it.

Interesting fact:  Not only has Tim Tebow taken care of the ball better than most, his team, Florida, is the only team in the nation with ZERO turnovers.

"8.  Pittsburgh will win the Big East."

This one is still very much a possibility, but not because Pittsburgh is playing like a conference champion.  In fact, Pittsburgh has looked very unimpressive.  The reason this one is still feasible is because the rest of the Big East is also unimpressive.  At this point, USF looks like the strongest team and even the Bulls struggled to pull away from the doormat that is Florida International.

Interesting fact:  The Big East is a combined 16-11 in non-conference play.  If you subtract the two teams, USF and UConn, the other 6 teams are a combined 8-11. 

"7.  The new clock rules will result in exciting shootouts."

I think I was pretty much dead wrong on this one.  Although there have been some shootouts, the net result of the clock rules has been a drastic shortening of the game.  I witnessed several 8 and 9 minute drives this season.  With less possessions, there is less scoring. 

The good thing about the rules is that they are relatively fair and straight forward.  There are less possessions, but there do not seem to be any exploitable glitches in the rules (such as purposely going offides on a kickoff to run out the clock).

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