Peaking at College Football 2010

Yes, we're still 8+ months away from the start of the college football 2010 season. Yes, recruiting for next year is still going on. Yes, Lane Kiffin could have 4 different jobs between now and then. However that doesn't mean I can't come up with insane predictions. As such here are my predictions and caveats for teams most likely to make it to the Mythical BCS Championship (for the 2010-2011)

1. Alabama
Pluses
At this point it almost seems for granted that the winner of the SEC will be given a spot in the BCS Championship game. Alabama has a big non-conference game against a soon to be rebuilding Penn State and basically the entire offense back (including heisman trophy winner Mark Ingram)

Minuses
History - No team has won back to back SEC Championships in the past 12 years. Alabama has to travel to Florida during regular season. They also have to replace key defensive players (Cody, McClain, Arenas)

2. Ohio State
Pluses
Coming off a Big BCS victory and returning 16 starters (including heisman hopeful Pryor) tOSU appears poised to have the needed hype train. They have an several prime time non-conference games that could also bolster their credit (notably against U of Miami) although at this point Ohio State seems poised for top 3 preseason ranking.

Minuses
Will Pryor look like the QB against Oregon? Related to that Ohio State needs to replace its left tackle with no obvious choices. Road games at Wisconsin and at Iowa will be tough.

3. Boise State
Pluses
Boise State, following their big win over TCU, will start the season highly ranked. They return 21 of 22 starters including heisman hopeful QB Kellen Moore. They also have two tough non-conference games against Oregon State (home) and V-Tech (Fedex Field). I have a feeling that if Boise wins both decisively that they'll be given serious thought.

Minuses
There is still a lingering/omnipresent question of if non-BCS school will be given the opportunity to play in the BCS title game. The downside of playing tough non-conference games (especially on the other side of the country) is that Boise State could easily lose to a loaded V-Tech team.

4. Oregon
Pluses
Oregon returns 19 of its starters including their star QB and running back (the one that didn't punch anyone). They also have only one semi-tough non-conference (at Tennessee). An undefeated season and a high preseason is usually grounds for a shot at the Championship game.

Minuses
Oregon is on the road against USC, Cal, and Oregon State. Add in the normal wacky Pac 10 surprises and it might be tough sledding to go undefeated in the Pac 10.

5. Nebraska
Pluses
There's always going to be a team that you don't expect in the thick of. I'm picking Nebraska (hear me out). The Big 12 Champ will be given consideration and Nebraska appears well positioned to win the title. Texas is breaking in a young/inexperienced QB and Oklahoma is losing gobs of talent on the offensive line and defense. Nebraska gets Texas in Lincoln and avoids OU. They return ten starters on offense. While they lose all universe Suoh, DT Crick will position himself as a first round pick for next year.

Minuses
They play at Oklahoma State and at Washington (are they minuses? potentially?). Their offense until their bowl game was awful. Can a Big 12 North team actually win the Big 12? Can the team handle hype?

Just Missed the Cut: Texas, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, Arkansas, G-Tech

Better Know the College Football 2009: Predictions

Well today marks the first day of the 2009 College Football season. Huzzah. With the help of the BSD bus, I've criss-crossed the country analyzing the various conferences and coming up with various predictions that should be used only when betting Colonel's money. At the end of all the travels I've come to the conclusion that any monkey with a pencil (read College Football Poll) could come up with ...the mythical BCS Championship Game will be Florida over Texas. I know anti-climatic. But championships are won by schedule and perceptions as much as on talent and Texas and Florida have talent, a favorable schedule, and perceived as hailing from the best two conferences. Factor in negative info out of V-Tech (lost star running back) and USC (freshmen QB, numerous lost starters) and the path seems clear for the Big 12 and SEC to go head to head again. That said there's still lot's of interesting storylines to play out.....

Mighty (pictured above) was ever vigiliant to his surroundings. Mmm cupcakes

1) Fall of Troy? USC has won the Pac 10 for 7 straight years. However this might be the year that string ends. First, USC has now a pattern of inexplicably dropping easy games. Second, it lost 8 starters on defense and a QB (nearly all selected in the first 2 rounds) ...even for USC that's a bit much. Add in a true freshman QB (Matt Barkley) and losing 6 projected starters for multiple weeks to injuries and academics this Summer and things look ugly. Finish off with a tough schedule ( trips to tOSU, Cal, Notre Dame, and Oregon) and this might be the year USC trips up.

Beware of Oregonians bearing gifts

2) The Return of Irish Mania? For several years now the Charlie Weis internship has produced all sorts of laughs and joy for Notre Dame haters. However this might, just might be the year they return to the national spotlight instead of national punchline. There's a favorable schedule , easy opponents, and experienced talent stockpiled. Frankly its do or die for Weis at Notre Dame - without any minimum contention for a BCS berth and Weis will get towed out of South Bend.

Sarcasm and Billboards - Things that should go together more often

3) BCS Buster?
I'm not sure if anyone tuned in but once again a mid-major not only busted into the BCS but beat a heavy weight (so much for SEC invicibility). This year there are number of contenders again for mid-major automatic births with top 25 rankings already bestowed on Boise State, TCU, Utah and BYU . In other words it's going to happen again...it's just a question of who

Umm different Buster

Predictions

BCS Championship: Florida over Texas
Orange Bowl : V-Tech Over Notre Dame
Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss over Boise State
Fiesta: Oklahoma over West Virginia
Rose Bowl: USC over Penn State

Anyway send away your predictions and/or story lines you'll be following.....