[Otanku]

OK, so I always like starting this thread in sync with the EA game release. I am SO ready for this football season!! The Longhorns are primed and ready to make a run at the national title!! Will this be deja vu from their 2005 run? In other words, they will enter the year as a challenger but all the hype will go to the defending champ (e.g. USC and this year Florida) and they head on a collision course with Texas rightffully winning a title by defeating the defending champ. I think that's gonna happen this year and my Horns will beat Florida in the BCS title game!!

I have a feeling the Horns will be the AP #2 team to start the season, but for now, here is the EA NCAA 2010 rankings:

1. Florida
2. Oklahoma
3. Texas
4. USC
5. LSU
6. Alabama
7. Ohio St
8. Penn St
9. Oklahoma St
10. Virginia Tech
11. Ole Miss
12. Oregon
13. Georgia
14. Boise St
15. Cal
16. North Carolina
17. BYU
18. Georgia Tech
19. TCU
20. Florida St
21. Nebraska
22. Iowa
23. West Virginia
24. Utah
25. Kansas

[Hammurabi-Sith]

Yeah well since Florida has one of the easiest schedules in the country this year they are a shoe in for the NC.

As for my Noles??????

With the poisonous 2006 recruiting class just about vanquished from our team I see improvement ahead for FSU.

Offense: Our strength is going to be our OL which is something FSU fans haven't been able to say for a few years, but last years group went through growing pains as being the youngest OL in the country and they turned out to be a nasty group of fighters. FSU offense had 2000 yards passing and 2000 yards rushing last year and I see those numbers going up. I see the running game to be very productive with 3 running backs which will be very good this year. #1 is Jermaine Thomas who was simply awesome when he was given the ball last year a over 7 yards a carry will be the starter, but he has two other backs behind him who are just as good. Ty Jones will contribute more this season and a player I have been dying to see since last year but didn't due to a knee injury is JC transfer Tavares Pressley who could be #1 at some point during the season. He is a physical fast runner at 6'1 215 lbs. We also have 2 true freshmen coming in who may contribute as well or maybe at WR. Chris Thompson who has been compared to Reggie Bush and Lonnie Pryor. At QB Christian Ponder had a decent year last year and I don't question his intelligence because he is really smart. He has a season under his belt and I see him passing for over 3000 yards this year and if he doesn't get the job done then bring in the best QB coming out of High School last year EJ Manuel and we can give him a crack. EJ is the future of the program and Jimbo Fishers experiment.

Question marks on Offense: I said Ponder will throw for 3000 yards this year, but at the same time the main concern for FSU fans is the WR's. Gone is dumbass Preston Parker thank God, gone is inconsistent Greg Carr, up in the air is Rod Owens and Richard Goodwin who have legal troubles that should be resolved before the season starts. Breakout players this season will be Bert Reed, Jarmon Forston and Louis Givens. We also brought in Rodney Smith from Miami who is 6 foot 6 but is lighting quick and he could contribute and also Willie Haulstead has the potential of breaking in the starting role. In fact I see all freshmen at WR and RB probably lining up at WR at some point during this season. At TE we have 6 foot 7 CAZ who will be getting the ball more this season due to his physicaly presence.


Defense: The strength of our defense this year will be our lineup of Linebackers this year. Probably the best in the country hands down. Dakota Watson, Nigel Bradham, Nigel Carr, Vince Williams, etc.......... will be a force to be reckoned with this year. Our defensive line will be mixed with youth and veterns. 5 star DT Jacobi Mcdaniel will play right off the bat. Our entire DL has added 25 lbs since last season and they will not be pushed around by larger OL this year since our DL across the board will be around 6'4 290. They all have tons of speed and strength. Our defensive backfield is also a mix of young and vets. Patrick Robinson will be a shut down corner this year and incoming freshmen Greg Reid will be starting right off the bat. Overall what our defense has going for it is a mix of youth and vets and tons of SPEED!!! I mean Dakota Watson ran a 4.3 in the 40 over the summer and he is a linebacker. All other LB are running 4.4. I am looking forward to seeing what the defense can do this year.

Special Teams: How do you replace Graham Gano? You can't. Well FSU is the only team in college football who drools over and after field goal kickers and what did FSU grab this year? The best kicker in the nation Dustin Hopkins will be handling kickoffs and fieldgoals which leaves punting up in the air.

Overall I think FSU will slip a couple times this year because we frankly have one of the toughest schedules in the country. We play Miami right off the bat and I hate that so much because the game will be a chess match and suck and will be low scoring. I do think we will win because we are simply further ahead than Miami right now. Miami will be breaking in a new Off Coordinator and the last time Miami did that they lost to us in 2005 in Tally. This year the game is in Tally. We also play games at BYU and though I know we will matchup well against them I always worry when a team on the east goes out west to play due to the atmospheric conditions. Should be a fun game though to watch a ****ing midnight on the east coast. We have tough road games at Clemson and Florida.

In the end I see either a 10 win or 9 win season. I also will go on record as saying this will probably be Bobby Bowdens final season. It just a deep feeling I have on that one. As far as the NCAA taking away victories? I see this as motivation going into the season to shut up critics and off set an BS damage the NCAA does decide to do. The NCAA was totally wrong in their punishment brought down and though I don't see them changing their minds there will forever be an asterik next to the Bowden Paterno race for most wins if they take away Bowden's 14 wins.

My only wish this year is for FSU to come into the Swamp and spoil Florida's season by keeping them out of the NC and beating them in the swamp at Tebows final game there. I could die a happy man if that happens.

[Otanku]

so do you think FSU will win the ACC? Or is this the year for NC? Or will Virginia Tech win it again?

[Hammurabi-Sith]

I think FSU has a big chance at the ACC, which frankly we should have been in last year had it not been for the last second fumble in the GT game.

Our toughest ACC games to me this year is Clemson which is always a fight to till the end and we are playing North Carolina for the time since 2004 and Butch Davis is a hell of a coach and he had a good team last year. That will be a primetime 8pm game and I think there will be some hype coming into that game similar to the hype between FSU and NC back in 1997. I don't think Wake Forest will be a problem this year. They lost everyone from their cinderella team. We do not play VT during the regular season so I think it will be FSU vs. VT for the ACC championship game. I will go out on a limb and say VT is overrated. They are well coached but we have always had their number in big games.

We are still another year away from being a legit team for the NC, but stranger things have happened. Texas is a major contender along with Florida for reasons I mentioned in the previous post.

[Otanku]

The Coaches' Preseason Poll came out last week and forgot to update this. The AP one won't come out until the 22nd of this month I believe. Love the mah Horns are #2 in the country!! Last time they started this high was their '05 championship run and hopefully this year repeats that effort.

1. Florida (53) 0-0 1,466
2. Texas (4) 0-0 1,386
3. Oklahoma (1) 0-0 1,358
4. USC (1) 0-0 1,321
5. Alabama 0-0 1,134
6. Ohio State 0-0 1,126
7. Virginia Tech 0-0 1,020
8. Penn State 0-0 988
9. LSU 0-0 917
10. Mississippi 0-0 889
11. Oklahoma State 0-0 861
12. California 0-0 711
13. Georgia 0-0 707
14. Oregon 0-0 694
15. Georgia Tech 0-0 559
16. Boise State 0-0 542
17. TCU 0-0 461
18. Utah 0-0 404
19. Florida State 0-0 371
20. North Carolina 0-0 293
21. Iowa 0-0 257
22. Nebraska 0-0 236
23. Notre Dame 0-0 194
24. Brigham Young 0-0 178
25. Oregon State 0-0 165

[Hammurabi-Sith]

Looks like Jimbo is really starting to take things over at FSU, because we are going to be going exclusively to an H-back formation this year due to we have zero fullbacks on our squad. Simms jumped ship for Northern Alabama to go play for Terry Bowden and Holloway was a lazy ass person on the field and off the field. So we will have a two tight end set this year when we are in the I-formation and when we go to the shotgun or pistol we will take out a TE. The TE will a lead blocker and handling the fullbacks job this year. We have some good athletes at that position. One is 6'7 250, and other around 6'4 240 lbs. They should be able to move some people and flare out for some passing as well.

This is exactly what Jimbo ran when he was OC at LSU and it worked for them then.

I can't wait for Labor day night!

[Rock]

I'm soooo ready to go! I hate being ranked so high, if that makes any sense.

[Destiny Skywalker]

Huskerrrrrssss!

[Otanku]

destiny, the huskers are favored to win the north. Do you think the "blackshirts" might be back this year?

[Destiny Skywalker]

We'll see if they deserve it. But if anyone can bring the Blackshirts back to their former glory, it's Bo. In all honesty, I'm willing to give him another season before I expect the Blackshirts to truly be "back", but I'm sure hoping for this season. He's gotta work Callahan's system out.

[David]

****ing retarded. rich rodriguez is going to play his 3 quarterbacks in the first regular season game against western michigan.

WHY?? that's what training camp is for. is to figure out who your starters are. it'd be a little more understanding if it's two quarterbacks and you want to see them both in a little live action football in the regular season, but 3???


i'm quite thankful i'm not a michigan fan.

[David]

oh. and as far as mizzou goes, yes....this will be a bit of a rebuilding year for us. but if blaine gabbert steps in and takes the reigns like everyone is expeting him here to, mizzou is going to have some success on the field. optimistically, i'm looking at a 9-4 season. i think us taking the north is quite do-able.

destiny....this blaine gabbert kid....wow. really, i'm sorry you husker fans missed out on this kid. he's going to be special.

[Lucas1138]

I'll withhold myself from saying that Notre Dame is for sure going to be good this season, but the potential is certainly there. Jimmy Clausen is going into year 3 and showed much improvement as the season developed in '08. This year and next I think he'll be one of the top QBs in the country. On offense he has two really good receivers in Floyd and Tate. The line is experienced which could lead to some cohesiveness and a good year. Defense is hit or miss... Hopefully Mante Te'o lives up to the hype. Its an insanely easy schedule, which on one hand is nice but on the other the possibility of being overrated and getting demolished on a high profile bowl game is bigger. We'll see...

[David]

i don't see how nd can't have a solid season this year. their schedule is a breeze compared to years past and clausen is sure to be a stud this season. the kid's got it. as far as a florida/nd title game??? lol. i don't think so mr. holtz. a bcs bowl game?? i think that's stretching it too.

[Lucas1138]

I dunno bout a title game berth (in which we'd be crushed by Florida anyway lol) but a BCS berth is perfectly within the realm of possibility (although against a top team I'm not saying it would end well either) I think based upon the idiocy of the system.

[David]

for notre dame to get into a bcs bowl game, they'd have to beat usc. period. and i just don't see that happening. if it happens, then yeah, sure.

[Lucas1138]

Well the reason I say that is that game is very early in the year so even if they get beat there and as long as it isn't a horrible loss, the system is just stupid enough to reward a 1-loss team with a weak schedule a high profile bowl game. But more or less I agree with what you're saying.

[Otanku]

well but that's just it. ND is barely int the top 25 because of a lot of skepticism of how good the team really is. if they get crushed by USC, not only will they be out of the top 25, but they won't have another opponent on their schedule to warrant them getting a decent ranking back via a "quality" win. If they finish 11-1, they could potentially get a top 16 ranking just by sheer attrition, but ND needs to finish within the top 12 to get BCS consideration.

If they beat USC and go 10-2 or 11-1, they get in. If they lose to USC and go 11-1 I don't think they get BCS.

[ShadowDog]

Never mind, I was trying to upload a funny file and Nightly won't let me. Whatever.

But since I'm here, GO NOTRE DAME!

[tebowsexual]

of all the years, it had to be this season that Alabama and Ole Miss aren't on the Gator's schedule...damn, would have made for better games to watch.

[Otanku]

I think the Tennessee (for drama reasons) LSU and Florida St games will still be good games to watch.

I'm hoping there's a Florida v Texas finale to cap off the season! But for now, it's time for opening weekend to kickoff!!

Games begin Thursday. Full college slate on Saturday. Some good week 1 matchups:

Thurs:

(16) Oregon vs (14) Boise St - will the smurf turf clash with the ugliest uniform in college? Oregon will be in their white, so too bad, cuz that would have been terror on the fans eyes. Boise St is out to prove early they are a BCS buster, but Oregon needs to prove they have the muscle to be able to compete at USC's level, so this test will show if they are a true Pac 10 title contender or not...

Sat:

(13) Georgia vs (9) Okie St - a fantastic Big 12/SEC clash and we get it in week 1! Georgia wants to show they still have a tough team and can compete for a BCS berth or possibly a dark horse chance at the SEC title. Okie St needs to prove they are a legit dark horse national title contender and will all their weapons be able to showcase that Big 12 offense overpowers SEC defense?

(20) BYU vs (3) OU - BYU is also looking to make a BCS buster statement here and this game is at Cowboy Stadium. Will the ridonculous Jumbotron be a distraction to both teams and possibly allow BYU to get a B- game out of OU for an upset chance? Or will OU hang 60 and show that BYU is not ready for prime time?

(5) Alabama vs (7) Va Tech - this is ABC's primetime game of the week. 'Bama wants to show that it's still an NC contender and Va Tech needs to prove it isn't an SEC punching bag a la their loss to LSU a couple seasons ago. Va Tech needs this win more than Bama does.

Mon:

Miami vs (18) Florida St - this is my upset special. Florida St has been a hovering top 25 team but hasn't been able to return to their 90's dominance. Miami fell off the radar, but the fact they've made true coaching changes means this team's ability to rebuild itself is probably more successful than Florida St, since many players probably question playing for the ancient Bowden at this point. I see Miami winning this one and making a statement that this team is further along at reclaiming itself in the national picture than Florida St is.

[Otanku]

South Carolina was dang sloppy in their 7-3 win against NC State.

Boise St is giving Oregon a whooping so far!

[Otanku]

Oregon's RB Blount was a punk after the game. Not only did he sucker punch the Boise St DE, but he hit one of his own players THEN went berserk and almost tried to get it on w/ some of the fans! Hopefully Oregon suspends him for at least 4 games.

[Ryn]

People were talking about this at wok - so I had to see it. Unbelievable.

[Tex]

That's an awfully weak jaw for a DE.

[Otanku]

College Gameday is back! I love the ESPN crew.

[Lucas1138]

I only have 2 sentiments so far..

1. Phenomenal game between the Hawkeyes and Northern Iowa

2. Gawd, Charlie Weiss is fat.

[Darth Whoever]

BYU upsetting OU is going to make things interesting, as will Bradford's injury.

On a personal note, OU dropping in the ranks isn't strategically advantageous to Texas, but it's always an emotional boost.

[Lucas1138]

Notre Dame looked phenomenal today. Couldn't have asked for a better start. Just hope USC brings a high ranking to South Bend this season that way the Irish at least have a shot at making something out of the season. They should be the favored team in all or all but one of their games this season so here's hoping.

Good for BYU, now hopefully Oklahoma can rebound and beat Texas in the Red River game. I want more cluster **** of a season!

[Destiny Skywalker]

So who's going to drop out of the rankings tomorrow evening? And who will be new?

I think we'll be lucky to see Oregon stay in the Top 25. While that kid was a tool, he was also one of their starters, and Boise State embarrassed them. I think Iowa might drop out, too. It was a little too close with UNI. I think we'll see Ohio State drop out of the Top 10, but still stay in the 25. Georgia will drop but still stay in the Top 20. BYU will move up, but I think OU will still be somewhere around 10. LSU will drop, too. That was way too close with UW.

I don't think we'll see UW move into the Top 25, but Oregon State is a possibility. I don't think we'll see anymore than 2 teams drop out. Mostly just some reshuffling.

[ShadowDog]

Whoa. Notre Dame didn't need a last second comeback to beat a scrub ass team? Awesome.

[Otanku]

Great opening to college football! A lot of tight games, particularly from games you didn't expect them to be (Ohio State v navy/ NIU v Iowa).

Darth Whoever, on 5 Sep 2009, 11:54 PM, said:

BYU upsetting OU is going to make things interesting, as will Bradford's injury.

On a personal note, OU dropping in the ranks isn't strategically advantageous to Texas, but it's always an emotional boost.

I was at the UT game last night, but we were hearing bits and pieces from folks I guess getting info either from their radio and/or cell phone that Bradford got hurt. Then later when the score was announced the stadium went crazy. As to their ranking affecting Texas SOS. I've heard some folks talk about this in some of the post game stuff, but it's really not a factor.

Texas is ranked #2 in the nation and the only thing that matters is them running the table. Do that and nobody will leapfrog them. OU will still be a top 12 team when they play them. Okie St earned major cache beating Georgia, so that will likely be a top 5 matchup (assuming Okie St is undefeated when they match up), and, should Texas win the South, the North opponent will be a top 15 team (i.e. Nebraska, Kansas, hell even Mizzou after an impressive win over Illinois), so they'll still have played 3 ranked opponents and nobody's resume will be more impressive to leapfrog an undefeated #2 team.

[The Choc]

The Irish did look great yesterday. Nevada obviously isnt a big time team or anything, but they also aren't a cupcake 1AA team either. The Irish passing game should be able to gain yards on almost any defense. Michael Floyd is an absolute star, he will be a top 10 NFL pick some day.

[Lucas1138]

The Notre Dame offense as a whole should be able to march down and score on just about anyone. I think it will come down to the defense making stops when they need to.

[Metropolis]

I wasn't going to post until the season started. My season doesn't start until tonight at 8. I'm still trying to get a slow burn to the football season. Hell I even went to the Bucs 2 preseason games to get in the mood. If anyone remembers I call the 2001 seaon right down to the matchup an outcome in the very first post. In 2002 I was 98% correct on the money.(I didn't call Ohio State in the game). Since I've been non commital. Why? Because you should never go to the well one too many times. Miami is a better team this year, though it might not show with the schedule the first 4 games. 2011 I'd put us in the national title hunt no qualms. This year we're still relying on way too many true and red shirt sophmores and juniors. It's too tough to call. As for the FSU game? This might be my bias(might=talking ****), but I think we just might lay the hammer to FSU. I can't wait. I leave for Tally at 1pm. COLLEGE FOOTBALL IS BACK BABY!!!!

[Darth Whoever]

Otanku, I'm so jealous you get to go. I went to an official Texas watching bar here but it's just not the same as 100,000 people.

[UK Legend Killa]

Rutgers are getting completely destroyed.

[ShadowDog]

Sounds like Bradford's going to be out longer than originally expected. It's really starting to look like it was a We-Tar-Did decision to not go pro this year.

[David]

4 main things i noticed saturday:

florida is FREAKISHLY scary.
jimmy clausen is officially a stud.
rodriguez looks like he's got michigan back on track(although it's just one game).


and....


BLAINE GABBERT is the ****. mizzou's success this year is solely based on this guy. what a terrific first game we got out of him. hope it's the first of many great games to come out of this guy. nebraska has got to be crying on the inside.

[UK Legend Killa]

Now that HS has disappeared I can finally ask this question:

What in the blue **** is a seminole??!