DISQUS

Kevin @ Fanblogs · 1 year ago

For the record, I hate preseason polls. Even so, I think Oklahoma is underrated.

Lennie Collins · 1 year ago

We all know how the USA Today polls are. But is really going to stop the boasting of the SEC faithful? Probably not! This is law even though the teams have not stepped on the field. If it was any other conference teams then the polls are just opinions BUT when it's the SEC...IT'S LAW!

TigerEducated · 1 year ago

Lennie,

My pick for national champion this year is OU...

You read it here, first...

Lennie Collins · 1 year ago

I say the same thing...Oklahoma beats West Virginia although the pollsters will try to get Southern California and Georgia in it. I would like to see Oklahoma beat Southern California or an SEC team.

"BC" · 1 year ago

My pick is USC.

Oklahoma will be a good team. BUT. USC will go to the NC game this year.
they play a weak schedule, like always.

You ready for my #2 pick??
Michigan.

Michigan, like OSU last year, isnt THAT good.
but they have a weak schedule, and they could easily go undefeated this year.

and, of course, USC will blow Michigan out of the water.

"BC" · 1 year ago

actually im going to make an amendment to my prediction.
i also think that we'll see this:
OSU and Michigan will each have one loss.
OSU's loss will be to USC
UM's loss will be to OSU
USC will be ranked #1
ooooooooo! that'll stir up some BCS controversy!

nobody wants to see the rematch, yet UM just lost to OSU....

Ben Prather · 1 year ago

I think you greatly over estimate Michigan.

They are ranked with Fresno State for a reason.

Marko · 1 year ago

I dont think Michigan is a number 2 team. That said.. if their defense is as good as everyone is saying it is... they can win 10 games easily. W/O a real QB to run RR's offense, it's a stretch to win that amount of games. They should win their first 4 games... after that, its a crap shoot depending how well the defense is playing.

Tom_Blogical · 1 year ago

For the record, I hate preseason polls.

Yep. And all the preseason awards that go with them. Oklahoma has nothing to worry about if they win all year long. They're in a great position. Anyone in the top 5 is.

Regan · 1 year ago

Most Unfair, Kev - you just wanted to keep someone else from getting the first post.

Tom Blogical gets it. Moo-Ha-Ha-Ha..... :)

Marko · 1 year ago

You mean over-rated. OU will have at least 2 losses.

PITTMAN · 1 year ago

MIZZOU WILL BE THE SURPRISE THIS YEAR. THEY WILL GO UNDEFEATED UNTIL GAME 9.

Tom_Blogical · 1 year ago

Sorry this is off topic, but there's one thing I hate about Disqus. I have to enter my name and email address twice (or at least something in the first name and email fields) if I want to log in after writing a comment. That's soooooo irritating. I'd love to have the login button available right away.

Back to the top 25. Oregon might be getting a bit of a raw deal too, don'tcha think?

Kevin @ Fanblogs · 1 year ago

OT - Why don't you accept the cookie? I never have to enter anything.

Tom_Blogical · 1 year ago

Yeah, I have to figure something out with that. My security software deletes them during the daily sweep.

OU_Ron · 1 year ago

Tom, have you verified your post or logged in to disqus??, all I have to do is type the post and click..........

Tom_Blogical · 1 year ago

Thanks, Ron. I do verify, but as Kevin pointed out, if I could keep the cookie, then I wouldn't have to login every day. I'll see if I can add the cookie to an exception list in the security software.

TheMayor · 1 year ago

Tom_Blogical

I think Oregon is fortunate to be in the Top 25. Dixon and Stewart are gone. We have little experience at QB and have a tough Pac-10 schedule with USC, Cal, ASU and OSU on the road. But Tom, I appreciate yout kind words...that's the beauty of College Football, you never know who's gonna step up.

Porcine · 1 year ago

Hows Masoli doing?

Regan · 1 year ago

I think Spurrier actually did NOT give Duke a vote this year. Can anyone confirm?

dithridge · 1 year ago

nice job pointing that out. he did not vote for them.

"Grant Teaff (executive director of the American Football Coaches' Association) e-mailed me and asked me not to vote for Duke," Spurrier said.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20080801/NEW...

1Tomcat · 1 year ago

Grant Teaff ate a worm during a halftime speach, then his team beat Texas during the second half of the 1974 miracle on the Brazos. Spurrier probably should not reveal who he voted for, might have been Baylor.

Regan · 1 year ago

Thanks. Now let's watch with awe as Duke wins the National Championship this year. :)

Clemson_Joe · 1 year ago

For some reason, I don't think we have to worry about that. It is nice to see Steve takes things a little more seriously this year though.

Lennie Collins · 1 year ago

Last season the Harris Polls and USA Today Polls were the most whack! Let the record reflect I would say the same thing if Oklahoma was #1. I am all for getting rid of pre-season polls. Let them vote with at least 6 games played into the season!

1Tomcat · 1 year ago

Its a beauty contest

OU_Ron · 1 year ago

If Oklahoma is going to make a run for the championship, I think this year is their best chance, although they usually find a way to screw it up,

Georgia, Florida and LSU will beat each other up, if Georgia goes undefeated, without a doubt, they deserve to be the champ, they have a very tough sched....

USC and OSU will eliminate one or the other on Sept 13th.

Texas, Kansas, Tex Tech all have a legit chance to knock off Oklahoma, and if OU is lucky enough to get back to the conference championship, MO sure has a chance to knock them off, besides being a damn good team, they have chip on their shoulder from last year........and it doesn't matter where Texas is ranked, when OU and Texas meet, it will be like the Hatfields and McCoys, the winner will be whoever gets the breaks that day,......I do however think we will beat TT, we play them at home and Stoops has a great record for home games..

I can only hope........

1Tomcat · 1 year ago

Good post Ron The Austin American has Ohio State #1 and Oklahoma #2
Oklahoma is poised to go all the way having TTech at home is an advantage and after last year the Sooners can get even.Some of the publications I've read have Texas going 8-4, heck nobody really knows anything. I beleive that the Tigers & Jayhawks game might be just as big as the UT vs OU or the USC vs Ohio St game on a national scale.
Texas will feild a good team and will play Colo in Boulder, then OU in Dallas, then come home to face Missu, they have Kansas and Texas Tech on the road, I really dont know of any team in the country could survive that guantlet. I just would like to see hard fought competitive games and would like to see the Horns beat the Hogs, especially since they hired Petrino and run off Nutt. I'm also going to try and see the Hurricanes & Aggies, thats going to be a good one and winning at Kyle feild is not an easy task.
Adios Tomcat

OU_Ron · 1 year ago

TC, I don't thinkTexas will go 8-4, 9-3 maybe, 10-2 probable, with being defeated by OU and MO ( at least I hope OU ) , Kan and Tech will be close games, but I think Texas comes out on top. Mack has a way of bringing the best out of his players and I don't see this year being any different.......

1Tomcat · 1 year ago

Well Ron If your prediction holds true then maybe a trip to the Cotton facing LSU would be cool, then Ole TE will have alot to post about. Mack usually gets his guys ready for bowls.I just hope that they play more freshman and let some of the defensive guys play a little offense, you know mix it up more and create some confusion.Guys like Kindle- LB and Beasley DB are increadable atheletees that need to be fully utilized, they were both outstanding offensive players in H/S.
They need to fully utilize all the QB's too, some of these guys should get out on the feild at the same time and really mix it up. Seems like OC Davis sometimes is too predicable and conservative. I agree with you about the RRS game, last year was an outstanding performance by both teams.
Adios Tomcat

TigerEducated · 1 year ago

Well, OU_Ron as I stated earlier to Lennie...OU's my choice for national champion this year...

OU_Ron · 1 year ago

TE, thanks for the thought but like I said OU usually finds a way to screw up, and usually with teams that they're supposed to run over, anyway, I'm ready for the season to start...

"BC" · 1 year ago

thats exactly why i dont think theyre ready yet.
and OU has a tough schedule.
much unlike USC, OSU, and Michigan.

Ya know what i miss guys??
a strong ACC conference.
whatever happened to the days of being worried about Miami and FSU?
now every year its just USC, OSU, and whoever wins the Texas/OU game, coupled with whoever survives the SEC.

Lennie Collins · 1 year ago

Bleed Crimson...Oklahoma has a tough schedule?

"BC" · 1 year ago

nope.
i was wrong to say that.

that being said, i dont think theyll get out undefeated.

OU_Fan · 1 year ago

Lennie, it depends on how you look at it. #10 Texas, #13 Kansas, #14 Texas Tech are obviously all top 25 team and could very well move up in the polls. The Oklahoma State Aggies may sneak into the top 25 as well and maybe Washington will do something after they lose to OU giving OU more BCS points for that game. If OU miraculously made it again to the Big 12 championship game and defeated say a top 5 Mizzou team, OU's schedule would be without a doubt considered to be "BCS" tough. The D-1AA team Tennessee-Chatanooga on the schedule may come back and bite the Sooners in the rear, but from what my sources say, OU had a date scheduled with Clemson until the Tigers backed out of the game which required OU to find an opponent at the last minute resulting in a rescheduled D-1AA team. Not that it matters. BOOMER!

Lennie Collins · 1 year ago

Yes, I am aware for whatever reason known to Clemson for cancelling BUT still Oklahoma could not find another Division 1-A opponent? Yes, all you who talk bad about Oklahoma it was Clemson NOT Oklahoma who cancelled! Florida was the first team to win the National Title with a Division 1-AA victory on it's schedule so I don't think it will come back on Oklahoma.

Clemson_Joe · 1 year ago

I don't think it will be much longer. Quite a few teams seem to be taking all of the right steps. We'll just have to see when it all transpires though.

Ben Prather · 1 year ago

FSU and Miami joined the ACC and their level lowered to match the rest of the conference.

Gatorboy41 · 1 year ago

OU_RON, I'm having a hard time seeing your point, in saying that Florida, Georgia, and LSU will beat each other up. What about Tenn, and Auburn. Is this an ackknowledgement of the stiff competition in the toughest conference. But getting back to your statement, of those teams beating each other up, well it has not been a factor for the past few years. The SEC sends a team with 2 losses to the NC, and the cruch them.

OU_Ron · 1 year ago

IMO, I think it will be a while before you see a two loss team back in the NC game again, In regards to my mention of Georgia, Fla and LSU, thats because they are rated in the top 10, I'm not saying that Tenn and Auburn won't be a factor, and yes the SEC is a tough conference, but toughest ??....that's to seen....

Ramblin' Gator · 1 year ago

I'm probably going to upset my SEC brethren with this post, but I'm actually a bit surprised by many of the highly-ranked SEC teams. Sure, Georgia and Florida (praying for a pass defense) deserve high rankings, but the rest of the teams are dealing with new QBs, new coordinators, new coaches, new offensive systems, etc. Maybe (probably) I'm unenlighteded, but I just don't see how Tenn deserves to be ranked.

OU_Fan · 1 year ago

Don't take this as an insult to your intelligence, but how are you having a hard time seeing OU Ron's point? LSU plays GA & FL. GA plays LSU & FL. FL plays GA & LSU. Those teams will beat each other up. Speaking of Tennessee, I am interested in seeing how their OOC schedule pans out with UCLA, UAB, Northern Illinois, and Wyoming. I see Auburn losing at Mississippi State, at West Virginia, and at Alabama. I see FL losing to Miami and Florida State :) BOOMER!

Tom_Blogical · 1 year ago

I actually think it would be fun to watch if the same thing that happened last year would happen this year. (I'm talking about all the upset specials.)

Probably was a once in a 25 year thing.

dithridge · 1 year ago

i'm glad PITT is not ranked. they have appeared in several other pre-season polls. they really haven't proved anything besides two upsets of ranked teams last season (wvu and cinci.)

blackdawg · 1 year ago

A long season, tough schedule, freshman kicker (scary on the road). Kicking miscues hurt my dawgs the last time in Baton Rouge. With that said we may have the best receivers we've ever had, and a QB that can get them the ball. Moreno, and highly touted, redshirt freshman Caleb King at running back. The offensive line grew up during last season, lacks depth, but if no injuries, should pick up where they left off. On Defense we have small corners, but scrappy. The LB's, (Ellerbe, Curran) are real good, and we lately have seemed to reload at DE. Everybody seems to need a little luck as well to win it all, I'll take some of that to.

"BC" · 1 year ago

wow. ya know what??
for the first time, im looking at a preseason poll that i dont think is complete BS.
i think the rankings are pretty good.

mannnn. alabama was sooo close.
i guess were just not as good as Fresno State. Although, we did take their beloved Offensive Coordinator.

But yes, like the rest of you, i HATE preseason polls.
Why?
because they actually have an affect on who will be playing where at the season's end.

blackdawg · 1 year ago

Knock Clemson out of the top ten and your in, a week late, but you are in none the less, with a lot of season left..

"BC" · 1 year ago

youre right.
but thats not gonna be easy.
i think Alabama vs. Clemson will be one of the best games all season.
it's gonna be an incredible display of college football in the national spotlight of week 1.
i CANT WAIT!

blackdawg · 1 year ago

Saban vs T. Bowden is worth 7 points at least. Some how Clemson just can't overcome themselves. Cullen Harper, Davis, Spiller, are very good, but they were very good last year and that didn't help in big games. Bowden's got talent but can't seem to get the guys to step up. I wont be suprised if ya'll don't move up after your first game. I'm looking foward to it as well.

Clemson_Joe · 1 year ago

Agreed. I think that it's great that both teams had the guts to schedule this one, and to have done it at virtually the last minute.

Regan · 1 year ago

Everything depends on the O-Line. Everything. Great play on the D-Line and secondary can give our highly-talented LB's to grow up some, but that O-Line is what scares me the most.

Clemson has recruited well enough that the O-Line will be solid by the end of the season, IMHO regardless...but I'll make the prediction that if Clemson has a good, soild O-Line and can avoid the Gremlins (a bigger rival than the Gamecocks right now), we'll at least win the ACC.

BallDogs1 · 1 year ago

We should play and find out.....anybody, anyplace, anytime......except Kansas State that is.
They don't want anything to do with us.
Go Bulldogs!

GA_Boy · 1 year ago

Man, I am glad summer is over and the boys are reporting to camp today. Hopefully Richt can straighten the guys out quickly. I spent 5 years in Athens and I know you can get totally out of control with the partying. From the sounds of it, the town was on fire this weekend and the DAWGS were no exception. The longsnapper was arrested and two more were hospitalized in a bar brawl. 26 days to get their heads on straight before the season kicks off. Work your magic Richt!

GO DAWGS!

blackdawg · 1 year ago

Amen!!!

What's a longsnapper thinking? You've got the chance to play for a championship team, so you do everything to get yourself kicked off. I believe he's gone. He was already suspended for the Sugar Bowl, was he not?

Ramblin' Gator · 1 year ago

Sounds like the long-snapper has an addiction issue, this being his second arrest and both for DUI. Seems like he needs to do a 12-step program before lacing up the cleats again.

How many suspensions/arrests have the dawgs had this offseason? I know it's been a few, but I couldn't find an "official" count at the "Athens Journal-Constitution."

blackdawg · 1 year ago

All that I’m aware of is that Baldwin and Henson have been suspended indefinitely and Clint Boling will miss the first game. Boling was to miss two games but the DUI charge was reduce to reckless driving because there was no sobriety test given, and now will only miss one game. Sturdivant and Anderson had their charges dropped and I don't know of any suspensions there. That situation sounded kind of odd to me. The other guy, Michael Lemon, that was arrested this past weekend had already been dismissed from the team. If there is anything else, I’m not aware of it or I’m in denial, or selective memory, repressed memory, etc.

Ramblin' Gator · 1 year ago

Found it. According to the AJC, there have been 8 arrests in the offseason with 5 suspensions/dismissals:

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/a...

Probably more of a potential distraction than anything else, as I don't see names like Moreno, Stafford, and Mo-Mass on the blotter.

blackdawg · 1 year ago

Darius Dewberry, backup Sam LB was added to the suspended list. He will miss the first two games. AJC is saying that Richt is banning Downtown Athens for the players during preseason practice and is considering keeping the ban through the season. I think that might be a good idea.

Marko · 1 year ago

I'm a HUGE Michigan fan, but I dont expect more than a 9 win season. That said... it is college football and anything can happen, however, Michigan's QB issue is too much to overcome unless the defense steps up and becomes as good as the Chicago Bears defense 3 years ago.

jake · 1 year ago

I always like seeing Wake in the Top 25. I hope their recent success isn't a cyclical thing.

grcunning · 1 year ago

What I'm liking is that we don't have to wait 4 or 5 weeks to see some good matchups
We get to start right off w CLEM-ALA,
then the big OSU@SC matchup,
then Ga @ ASU and LSU @ AUB,
..and they keep coming!!
We might see some big shakeups in the top 25 right off the bat

Methinks this might be even more fun than last year.....

As far as Georgia goes, their preseason ranking is certainly justified. I just think that their schedule is way too tough. If they can make it through with only 1 loss, they might just go wire to wire.I do hope that up north, we get to see more of them than just the Fla game.

I agree w/Kevin, TE, & Lennie...I'm giving OU the best chance to get to the dance, And if Fla can find some pass defense, watch out.
As far as OU's opponent, look no further than my icon :-)

Ben Prather · 1 year ago

Like #24 losing opening week.

TheMayor · 1 year ago

I nwas up in Oregon this weekend for a golf tournament. People are pretty high on Acosta, not much mention of Masoli. 3 weeks of training camp, plenty of time yet.

TheMayor · 1 year ago

Porcine,

Sorry the Masoli comment was for you. I am disqus challenged, I tried to reply but I got bumped way down here.

Brushpile Bill · 1 year ago

Anybody else think LSU is rated a little high given what they lost on D and no QB at all?

OU_Ron · 1 year ago

Is the USA Today Coaches Poll right, the AP Poll comes out on 8/16, since it's a slow day, why don't we list what you think the AP will be for the top 10....

(1) Georgia
(2) USC
(3) Oklahoma
(4) Ohio St
(5) Florida
(6) MO
(7) WV
(8) Auburn
(9) Texas
(10) LSU

grcunning · 1 year ago

I can't see USC being rated above OU and OSU. Sanchez has been around for a while, but only has 3 starts. Their offensive line has only one returning starter, and none of their wideouts has done anything special. Sure, they have a whole slew of 5-star running backs, but they can't start them all. USC always plays great, and can count on their defense to give them some scores and great field position, but with a bunch of new offensive players, they really need to earn a top three ranking on the field.

This is how I see it:

1) Georgia
2) OSU
3) OU
4) USC
5) Florida
6) Mo
7) WV
8) Clemson
9) T Tech
10) Texas

OU_Ron · 1 year ago

My picks are what I think the AP will look like, if I went with reasoning, I would put OU at # 1, but then I would have to add in the screw up factor, as OU tends to do each year...and that would blow my reasoning all to hell..

OU_Fan · 1 year ago

grcunning, I most definately agree. How in the heck does a team with a mediocre QB and 1 returning offensive lineman deserve a preseason coaches poll ranking of #2?? I just don't get it. If anything, Ohio State should be ranked number 1 because they have the largest number of starters returning from last years team. BOOMER!

War_Eagle_Atlanta · 1 year ago

Georgia does have talent, but their schedule is just way too brutal. It's not hard to imagine them with 3 losses before the bowls, especially when you take into account that if they make it to the SEC CG, they will almost certainly be having a rematch with Auburn or LSU.

I'm too lazy to look. Someone tell me how first game losers fair in a rematch in the SEC CG...

GA_Boy · 1 year ago

AP Poll won't put GA at the top. I will be extremely shocked it they do.
1. Ohio State
2. OU
3. USC
4. GA
5. FLA
6. WVA
7. Clemson
8. Mizzou
9. LSU
10. Wisc
WEA
6 years they only played once during season
4 years the champ won both meetings
1 year the champ lost 1st game and won championship game. LSU over TN in 01.
Also, I take it by your question if you want to know how 1st time losers do that you think GA will lose to LSU, AU, or both and still make it to SEC championship game?

GO DAWGS!

Ramblin' Gator · 1 year ago

The kiss of death: SI is ranking UGA #1 and will feature them on one of five regional, preseason covers.

I suspect you're right about the AP ranking OSU preseason #1 (there's some serious man-love going from the AP to tOSU). Though I suspect they will rank UGA 2nd or 3rd, prossibly behind USC. Since OSU and USC are playing early in the season, I fully expect the media to do everything in their power to stir up excitement over that game.

Gatorboy41 · 1 year ago

Does it really matters who's number 1 at the beginning of the season. I'm sure that that Mak R don't mind if the Dog's are'nt ranked # 1. For the first 6 weeks, they just need to win, and it will all unfold, as other teams start to lose. As long as you make the top 15, it does not matter who start's number 1.

Gatorboy41 · 1 year ago

Taking nothing from them, their schedule is taylor made for an undefeated season.

Regan · 1 year ago

Auburn had five wins against 9+ win teams in 2004:

Louisiana State (9-3) [defending National Champ]
Tennessee (10-3)
Georgia (10-2)
Tennessee (10-3) [SEC East Champ]
Virginia Tech (10-3) [ACC Champ]

I don't care if they played Harvard for the rest of their wins, THIS is respectable.

diehardSECfan · 1 year ago

To everyone out there that is not with the SEC, JUST WAIT!!!

Ben Prather · 1 year ago

I don't know about the AP poll, but the BP biased ranking would look more like this:

1. Georgia
2. Oklahoma
3. LSU
4. USC
5. Florida

6. Ohio State
7. Auburn
8. West Virginia
9. Wisconsin
10. Texas

11. Missouri
12. Kansas
13. Virginia Tech
14. BYU
15. Arizona State
16. Clemson
17. Texas Tech
18. Tennessee
19. Oregon
20. Illinois
21. South Florida
22. Wake Forest
23. Fresno State
24. Rutgers
25. Boston College

Marko · 1 year ago

How do you put Fresno State and BC and Oregon in the top 25? They are one-time wonders with no real schedule.

Ben Prather · 1 year ago

Oregon is not far from the ranking in the poll. After throwing out Penn State and Michigan, who IMO are not top 25 teams, I continued through the ORV until I found teams that looked like a reasonable option to put their.

Fresno State Rutgers will be for a top 20 spot.

Time will tell.

joeanybody · 1 year ago

Preseason rankings are always whacked. I am anxious to see who gets knocked out first and which top ten team gets knocked off their perch first (or both at the same time, which is always awesome).

1. Southern California
2. Georgia
3. Oklahoma
4. Ohio State
5. Florida
6. LSU
7. Missouri
8. West Virginia
9. Clemson
10. Texas
11. Auburn
12. Wisconsin
13. Kansas
14. Texas Tech
15. Tennessee
16. Arizona State
17. Brigham Young
18. Virginia Tech
19. Penn State
20. Oregon
21. Illinois
22. South Florida
23. Wake Forest
24. Fresno State
25. Texas A&M

Marko · 1 year ago

Utah fans beware... Michigan's defense is going to shut you out. The two starting corners just ran a 4.13 and 4.20 40 yard dash... you'll never get open.

Ben Prather · 1 year ago

Our 300+ pounders on the line should be opening nice lanes for Darrell Mack and Matt Asiata. If you are relying on your corners to stop them, they will be too bruised up to hit anyone.

Ok, you can keep up with our top two receivers no problem. What about our third receivers and our tight ends? We like to get the ball to everyone. Brian Johnson was the MWC #1 passer in 2006 and top 10 nationally. He will find targets if his primary options are covered.

BYU FAN · 1 year ago

BYU isn't ranked high enough... 17 There are so many rated over them and they won't even do anything

Ben Prather · 1 year ago

Virginia Tech, Arizona State and BYU are within 19 points of each other. This is basically a tie for 15th. I suspect these teams will be shuffled in the AP poll, with BYU a little higher.

This poll is not part of the BCS so BYU does not need to even be in it. It is, however, a fair predictor of the AP and Harris Polls.

BYU has the BCS right where they want them. If they achieve the "Quest for Perfection" by destroying thier opponents like a 2004 Utah team they will go very far.

BallDogs1 · 1 year ago

Marko, Rutgers from the Big East.....Wisconsin from the Big 12..
...UCLA from the Pac 10. "No real schedule"? Believe me, these
teams are real.
Go Dogs! Silence the Haters!

royce · 1 year ago

wisconsin isnt in the big 12 dum dum

BallDogs1 · 1 year ago

relax professor, honest mistake
so they're from the Big12-2.
dum dum? Wow, how nice.

mojaam · 1 year ago

Wow, at least my Maryland is in the "other receiving votes section." Hope they come out and shock the world this season.

Vol fan · 1 year ago

Watch for Tennessee to shock some people this year

PITTMAN · 1 year ago

MIZZOU TO WIN 9 STRAIGHT.