Good point about what the rankings should require in the way of a disclaimer, Ben. If the government gets involved in CFB, we may see some of the following disclaimers, a la the Surgeon General's warnings, about what to expect from preseason polls:
Preseason polls are known by the state of California to contain controversy and no champions in the last 5 years...
Preseason polls contain 100% of the RDA of BCS conferences, and two at large mid-majors...
The consumption of raw preseason poll results, like shellfish, can induce illness and barfing...
Expectant mothers should not consume alcohol nor preseason poll results as there is an increased risk in birth defects--see Zac...
Preseason polls not manufactured in China are certified as 100% lead-free toys, but as a precaution, please do not place in mouth, especially alongside your foot...
Rankings in preseason polls may seem larger than they appear...
If you have an undeserved preseason poll result lasting for longer than 4 weeks, immediately call your doctor and your team's scheduler...
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
How do you feel about your Tigers this year?
I certainly think Auburn will be a better football team on offense, and will win more games as a result. Two of my coworkers are Auburn guys and they have predicted a 7-5, 8-4 season. What about you?
Cobia
· 6 months ago
i'm thinking Auburn goes 8-5. Last year AU could have won three more games had our kicker maded a few easy ones.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
So you're thinking 7-5 and a bowl win?
That sounds reasonable to me.
It's going to be very interesting to see how teams like Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee, and West Virginia turn out this year. I think those 3 opponents are your biggest toss ups.
Cobia
· 6 months ago
How do you think Clemson will do in the fall?
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
Well, we have potential weaknesses at QB and WR, but our OL and RBs should be very good (after all, CJ Spiller will be toting the rock for us). Our defense returns most of its starters and the DL and CBs should be fantastic. Regardless of who we play at QB this season, we will be more mobile at that position, which should be a drastic improvement over the past 6 years. This year we have 2 elite 11 QBs vying for the starting job, so either way the guy is going to be talented. Also, given that Bowden is out and Swinney is in, I'm expecting this team to fair very well this season. I personally think that an 8-4 regular season is a virtual lock with 9-3 not being out of the question*. We will know a lot very early on when we have to go to Atlanta for a Thursday night game in Week 2.
I personally am very excited with what Swinney has done so far, and this offseason has been unlike any in a very long time. I expect it to translate to success on the field. The attitude and the culture has changed for the Pickens County Pride (to quote the late Leonard Postosties of Leonard's Losers) and it's gotten me very excited and optimistic.
On that same note, I'd like to know how the Auburn faithful are reacting to Chizik and company running the show. I know the taste was fairly bitter when he was hired, but I'd like to know if that's still the case.
*All of this is barring big time injuries/suspensions.
U.of S.C.1978
· 6 months ago
Ok my country cousin. Clemson will be tough this year. What else is new? By the bye, the correct usage is "fare well". There is no substitute, for a good education.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
You're right. Congratulations on catching my typo. I'll be sure to check your future posts for their spelling and grammatical accuracy from now on.
How many more seasons are you going to let the OBC go before he actually has to have a team that can be competitive on a higher level? Is yet another 6 loss season going to cut it in Columbia? Most of my neighbors in downtown Columbia (not anywhere close to the country) seem to think that if he can't improve this year, you need to move on.
hrposon
· 6 months ago
U of S.C. and CJ, The Clemson - South Carolina game won't be played for another six months. Spell checking in May... Aren't rivalries great? :-)
U.of S.C.1978
· 6 months ago
What makes you think being competitive in the SEC, is not playing at a higher level? As far as I'm concerned, the OBC has a job in Columbia for as long as he wants it.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
Losing to Vanderbilt the last 2 seasons is being competitive in the SEC? Did Sparky Woods even do that?
Look, my point in saying "competitive on a higher level" is relative to the level of the recent past. So, what I meant by that is that he hasn't had more success than his predecessors in Columbia like most expected. How much longer is the status quo going to work in Columbia? Obviously I know your answer, but from what I'm hearing around town, you're very much in the minority. Most Gamecock fans want to see improvements, or get someone else in there who can actually provide those improvements. Maybe this is the year, but losing that much talent to the draft/graduation is going to be tough to overcome.
Do I really need to go ahead and point out your punctuation misuse or can we go ahead and drop that ridiculousness?
U.of S.C.1978
· 6 months ago
That's the same Vandy that won it's first bowl game in 54 years. They are returning nine starters on each side.
I don't think Coach Spurrier thought coming in, that it was going to be easy. And like every other program, we have a lot of not very knowledgeable fans. The important thing, is that the program not be guided by these idiots on the street.
Yes we lost a lot of talent this year. But the general level of talent, is higher than ever before. That counts in my book, as a success. Indeed, even as a necessary precursor, to further success in the SEC.
I'll probably stay tough on the spelling thing, lol. Punctuation, not so much.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
To me, it doesn't make any sense to be hard on spelling and not on punctuation. After all, it's all equally part of the language. By the way, I didn't misspell the word, I committed a homonymic typo, and used the wrong word altogether.
Anyway, you're right that every program has a lot of not so knowledgeable fans. The ones that I was referring to are close to the program and are donors. As a matter of fact, one of them gave enough to be the school's top donor and to have his name on the stadium. So, it's his opinion that I hold a little higher than most. This is the first year since Holtz's first year in Columbia that I haven't heard optimism from him.
However, none of that really matters, because if it did, there'd be no reason to play the games. So, we'll see how it plays out on the field. I personally believe that you guys are in for quite a test up in Raleigh on opening Thursday. Best of luck though, and just like every other year, I'll be in attendance for quite a few of them.
U.of S.C.1978
· 6 months ago
"I committed a homonymic typo, and used the wrong word altogether."
That's why I pointed it out. I try to never to do that.
"Not that there's anything wrong with that," for the Seinfeld fans.
DuckCanuck
· 6 months ago
U of S.C.: All of these pointless extra commas are driving me up the wall. You should try reading your posts out loud sometime, lol.
DuckCanuck
· 6 months ago
You might want to take a second glance at your usage of the comma following the word "substitute". I'm pretty sure it doesn't belong there.
Zac
· 6 months ago
Mother Mary Grammatica, is that you?
Cobia
· 6 months ago
I was really pissed when Tuberville was release and Chizick was hired. However, Chizick so far has done well hiring a top notch coaching staff, and it seems like Chizick is going after the 5 star recruits, which is something Tuberville never did. So I'm pretty excited for the fall season to begin.
"BC"
· 6 months ago
first off, it's spelt "Chizik." and did you ever think that maybe it's a waste of effort going after 5 star recruits? it's not gonna happen. once they see the product Chizik throws out on the field, all your recruits will run for the hills.
Gary O'Neal
· 6 months ago
First off, it's spelled, not "spelt"...
"BC"
· 6 months ago
unless of course you're talking about the hexaploid species of wheat, which i clearly was.
OU_Ron
· 6 months ago
Sounds like spilt milk to me BC...
Zac
· 6 months ago
Yeah, twicet.
"BC"
· 6 months ago
and when you've spilt milk on your ham & cheese melled, you've just gotta play the hant you've been delled
TigerEducated
· 6 months ago
First off, it's spelled, not "spelt"...
(I posted using Facebook Connect for the 1st time up above...I'll clue you guys in as to how it goes)...
Cobia
· 6 months ago
First off, it's spelled, not "spelt"... and you're in the University of Alabama School of Law?
TigerEducated
· 6 months ago
Wait...WHAT?
BC's in Law School?
LMAO...Seriously?
You guys go take a look at that Tennessee thread again...
That Clarence Darrow comparison's even funnier now...I had no idea!
OU_Ron
· 6 months ago
LMAO, BC may be the first attorney in the history of Alabama to sue a blogger for slandering his character.......
We may be seeing you on a street corner sometime in the future TE..holding a sign ;-)
Make sure you spelt the words right...
1Tomcat
· 6 months ago
He is a cool guy too was that spelt right?
TampaGator
· 6 months ago
...li'l help here?
I seem to be missin it....where does it say BC is in law school?
GO GATORS!!
OU_Ron
· 6 months ago
The only reference I could find from BC is this...
" if anyone needs an attorney, just message me on DISQUS "
Nothing that say's he's a Law student......but what do I know..
Cobia
· 6 months ago
That may be the only reference, however I do think he made another reference some years ago.
Regan
· 6 months ago
I haven't heard much of anything about CLEM so far this offseason. That usually means it will be a decent year, right? :)
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
Swinney appears to be doing a great job. Based off of practice and the spring game, the players are playing hard for him and really look like they are hungry for the first time in a long time.
God I can't wait for kickoff. 115 days left (I think...) until the season starts.
"BC"
· 6 months ago
call me crazy, but i think Arkansas will end up finishing 2nd or 3rd in the SEC west this year. they're returning 17 starters from a team that beat up on LSU, Auburn, and lost to Ole Miss by 2. (17 is the most returning starters in the SEC).
TigerEducated
· 6 months ago
LOL...They beat LSU's worst team since 2002 by 1 point on a garbage last second play...
In BC's world, that's "beat up on"...
Let me be your Huckleberry, here...
You're crazy...
NMLSooner
· 6 months ago
That last second TD LSU had against Auburn that allowed them to become the first 2-loss NC, was that a garbage last second play? Look pretty similar to me.
TigerEducated
· 6 months ago
There were 4 seconds left on the clock had that been ruled incomplete...The clock operator left it running during the excitement...
Do yourself a favor and go back and look at it, if you dare...It was VERY obvious...and a VERY safe call...
"BC"
· 6 months ago
so you're saying LSU lost to Arkansas? okay, gotcha. that's 2 years running now right?
TigerEducated
· 6 months ago
Actually, you're responding to a post I made about the Auburn game in 2007, so we've beaten them two years in a row, actually...
As for the Arkansas game, yes, they've beaten us two years in a row. No one was ever debating that, you simple minded moron.
I was talking about how ridiculous your characterization of it was...
Which is par for the BC course, around 'cheer...
NMLSooner
· 6 months ago
I would like to see the video. Put up a link.
NMLSooner
· 6 months ago
Jason White's completion to Marcus Spears, now that was GARBAGE!
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
I don't think you're alone in that, to be honest. They showed some potential last year, and the QB should be a good fit in the system this year.
I'm not sure that they'll be 2nd in the SEC west, as I think Ole Miss, LSU, and Alabama will certainly be up there, but I do think they'll be vastly improved.
AUtigerman
· 6 months ago
BC They beat AU only because AU didnt execute the last play of the game. So i know you think Bama will win the west, so you think Ark. will beat LSU, AU, and Ole Miss. There offense wasnt the problem,they had no D last year. And BTW i have no problem calling you crazy.
1Tomcat
· 6 months ago
Crazy OK 3rd or 4th maybe I dont see them getting past Nutt or Saban- Those are two of the best coaches in the game period.The LSU Tigers a 3 peat highly unlikely, I couldnt beleive they beat Miles & co last year, because the Horns destroyed them. Unless Petrino has had an outstanding turnaround, sorry I just dont see them beating Ole Miss or Bama- AU and Miss st I dunno new coaches etc- to early to call- should be an interesting year in the West. Hogs 3rd or 4th at best
thebuckstopshere
· 6 months ago
I want to play...........
WARNING: FLAMMABLE. Preseason polls may spontaneously combust. Do not reference preseason polls near an open flame or while smoking. Do not store where temperatures can exceed 120F (Gatorhippys head).
1Tomcat
· 6 months ago
Thanks WEA Where is my post from last year concerning pre-season polls? Pre=season polls are like a-oles everybody has one I would like to say that this thing that Ben posted is an average of many different polls compiled from different pollsters- First what is Notre Dame doing on there? Second why did Utah drop so far ? #6 Ok State has one heck of a schedule, they have a great team but they have early season games against Houston & Georgia they do have Texas at home and the big one @ Norman I could see them knocking off maybe 1 or 2, but not all of them -any team that beats UGa,Tex and OU in the same season would be in the hunt for a MNC game
Zac
· 7 months ago
Let me be the FIRST to say, I'm a little surprised at the rankings for VA Tech, OSU, and Ole Miss. Tech's & OSU's rankings seem a bit high; Ole Miss's perhaps low (way too early to tell). I'm also understandably miffed that Pitt, with all they've lost, is ranked, and WVU (not all that surprising) isn't. Then again, as I've already said, way too early to tell.
dhart1122
· 5 months ago
i honestly believe that osu will win the big 12 south this year with all the talent we have coming back and additions made in recruiting. The offense is one of the nations best and the defense is coming along and will surprise alot of people this season
gatorfan001
· 4 months ago
in all honesty,i agree with the suprise of VA tech and OSU. But dont sleep on ole miss,they have a high quality QB who i think will go number 1 or 2 when the time comes and a hardnose defense.I am suprised with TEXAS and OAKLAHOMA being where they are.USC has a way better team and in my eyes is the number 2 team in the nation.We all saw what happens to the TEXAS,OAKLAHOMA,and all of the other teams in their conference when it counts.Frankly i think theyre over rated,great teams,but over rated.
Hotty_Toddy
· 7 months ago
Why in the world is LSU and VT above Ole Miss? And why is Texas Tech so low? They were #7 before we beat them. Granted they did lose Harrell and Crabtree.
Cobia
· 7 months ago
I agree Toddy, Ole Miss should be ranked above both teams. I would rank them 7th, but what do I know I thought Franklin was going to be good last year. haha
Tyler_Tech
· 6 months ago
GARBAGE!!!!.......Ole miss should be 4 or 5 based on what they got coming back.......
thebuckstopshere
· 7 months ago
This OSU's year, the win over USC will catapult them into the top five and then running the table will earn them a chance at redemption against the Gators. Tebow will become the second person in history to win two Heisman’s but an Ohio St. QB will out shine him in the championship game. Thus ending one legend and starting another. You heard it here first.
Clemson_Joe
· 7 months ago
I'll be sure to quote you on that at the end of the calendar year.
Hotty_Toddy
· 7 months ago
..Have you watched the championship games the past 3 years? Or has every Buckeye fan permanently blocked out those memories? lol
Ben Prather
· 7 months ago
They had a real national championship game? Did I miss it?
Regan
· 6 months ago
That was the name of the game, at least. I preferred it when it was done in a Bowl and other games could go for split championships at least...
Ramblin' Gator
· 7 months ago
Must be a bad case of mass amnesia.
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 6 months ago
Speaking of which, are you the only Ramblin Gator on here? I forget...
Ramblin' Gator
· 6 months ago
Are we counting my multiple personalities?
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 6 months ago
No, but I will accept super hero alter egos...
Ramblin' Gator
· 6 months ago
If you are referring to the Scarlet Scorpion, I cannot confirm or deny his existence and I have no knowledge of who rescued the kids from that submerged school bus.
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 6 months ago
I thought you were known around the hall of justice as The Stinger?
Zac
· 7 months ago
"You heard it here first."
Did you guyz see that? He stole my line. ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS!!! Buckster, if you're going to steal one-o-my lines, grabz the whole thing. Ya gotsta put "Remember." in front of it foist. Got it?
Just josh'n, big guy. I'd have to say, if OSU gets the convincing win over USC in the shoe, odds are OSU will run the table. Offensively, your boyz should be dyno-mite! Defensively, I see a lot of holes needing filled. Of course, 4 years ago a lot of holes were filled. Yet, OSU played a dominant game in Austin, answering any questions people had about the "D". I can't wait to find out, mind you. In fact, it would suit me just fine if the 1st game were played tomorrow. Heck, make that this afternoon. (Am I sick? I'm actually in the mood for ESPN's College Game Day!)
One more thing: What if TX runs the table, as well as OSU, as well as say, VA Tech? Provided FL doesn't disappoint, who gets to play em?
thebuckstopshere
· 7 months ago
Even if say Texas or Oklahoma run the table along with a VT I'm thinking Ohio St. gets in with a end of the year victory over an undefeated......wait for it.......wait for it.....that's right....MICHIGAN. YES! Remember you heard it here first, Fanblogers.
(Sorry about your line again)
Do you have any bold predictions? Come on Zac what say you???
(And oh yeah after Navy losses to OSU they run the table too.....)
Zac
· 6 months ago
"I'm thinking Ohio St. gets in with a end of the year victory over an undefeated......wait for it.......wait for it.....that's right....MICHIGAN."
In the words of Judy Tinuta, "It could happen." I think not, mind you, but I do expect a vast improvement over last year. It happened at WVU; it will happen at Michigan. I see them winning at least 9 games (bowl included). Thing is, if (Dare I say it?) OSU gets owned in the shoe by USC, I suspect one of MI's 9 wins will be over the Buckeyes. Sorry, Buckeroo, but that's my prediction.
Oh, remember; you heard it hear 1st.
Ramblin' Gator
· 7 months ago
You heard it here first.
...and never again.
thebuckstopshere
· 7 months ago
Ramblin Gator come on you have to be nervous about the Gators reign coming to an end, even if just a little bit?
Although they’re on the cusp of becoming a DYNASTY if not that then at the very least the most dominate team of this decade.
Ramblin' Gator
· 7 months ago
You're right - I am nervous. The Gators are poised for a let-down. Pre-season #1 rankings have a funny way of getting teams overconfident and then they come up short. I believe UF will begin the pre-season with the most talented team in America. What will injuries and overconfidence do to the Gators? Last year, injuries were brutal. People were referring to UF as "ACL-U". Also, overconfidence was a factor in the game with Ole Miss.
My skepticism about tOSU is really based on voter perception. At this point, I think it's entirely possible that the poll voters would send a reputable 1-loss team (Texas?) to the BCS-CG before sending an undefeated tOSU.
Zac
· 6 months ago
If the Gator's QB were Aron Pryor, I'd agree with you. No, your boyz have Tim Tebow. He is the will and the way to the Gators next undefeated season. Only if FL's "D" has a serious let-down, would it be possible for FL to fall this year. I think they go end-to-end, especially given a visit to LSU is their only real challenge. (A visit to Columbia, SC is a potential trap door, but...) So, unless Ole Miss is there at the end to meet FL in the SEC Championship, arguably it's a done deal. The fun part is watching the games to see if things really do turn out that way. So, is there a game this afternoon, or tomorrow maybe?
thebuckstopshere
· 6 months ago
Man Zac you’re really fining for some CFB, you need something to take the edge off. I'm a big Cavs fan and that's helping to ease the pain. If only LeBron would have gone to OSU the Buckeyes would have a win over the Gators in at least one sport. You can tell he's a Buckeye at heart.
I’m with you though I think Florida finally goes undefeated for the regular season.
Ramblin' Gator
· 6 months ago
LeBron is a basketball god. It's too bad Odom left Columbus after his freshman year - could've been another final four trip for tOSU.
Zac
· 6 months ago
I used to be a Celtics man, myself, but I'm not really into pro-ball. I like boxing & Hockey (kinda goes hand-in-hand, no pun intended), but I don't watch all that much TV. It'll be here before long, till then, I'm just gonna hafta bug my wife more (he he).
Ramblin' Gator
· 6 months ago
I'm guessing Florida's D will be scary good this year. They were in the statistical top 10 last year and they get back all of the their 2-deep roster plus a few injured players return plus some hot new recruits. But you're right, the offense won't have a letdown with Tebow under center.
1Tomcat
· 6 months ago
RG an undefeated tOSU would probably make it to the MNC game because of the strength of schedule argument, having USC has got to be a big plus and Iowa & PSU are both ranked opponents as well.
Ramblin' Gator
· 6 months ago
Probably true, but there's a lot of lingering memory of tOSU's performance in the 2006 and 2007 BCS-CGs. All other things being equal - or close to it - I think the poll voters would take a pass on tOSU. This isn't due to animosity. The BCS is under attack from all angles - even the president has spoken out against it. The poll voters will do most anything to avoid an embarassment at this point, IMO.
gatorhippy
· 6 months ago
tbsh, there's a couple of problems with your scenario...
First, since there are no polls yet how do we know that tOSU won't already be in the top five at the beginning of the season?
Second, each season there is to be a game that Florida loses that it has no business losing...
This is called the Gator Choke and it is cosmic law...
Even Tebow cannot defy this...
However, should your farfetched BCS CG matchup prediction of Gates/tOSU come true, it will certainly cause me a huge problem given that last season we started a new tradition of coordinating our tailgating menu around foods associated with the opponent to be played...
I'm just not sure how one goes about preparing a heaping pile of FAIL...
thebuckstopshere
· 6 months ago
I sympathize with your culinary dilemma, although it's probably not wise to eat all that much anyways. From personal experience I found that watching your team be dismantled can make you nauseas. So for your tailgating menu I would recommend copious amounts of alcohol and a bottle of Tumbs.
It sounds like you might already be in a state of shock before the game gets played. I mean with the Gators not choking in direct defiance of a cosmic law, it would be like someone switching off gravity. This surely is a bad omen, maybe a sign of the apocalypse.
But wait all is well; you see the Gator Choke is still there. The all to familiar sensation was just on hiatus. This year it decided to culminate and manifest itself into the greatest Gator Choke of all time, a devastating lose in the NCG. And all will be right in the cosmos after peace and harmony are restored by the Buckeyes in the form of a Gator thrashing. Tebow himself will ascend into the heavens after having been forsaken by the jean short wearing masses. And a new chosen one will be crowned on his way to becoming the greatest of all time.
So be prepared to conjure up a heaping pile of AMBROSIA because from that day forward they will be "associated" with the GODS.
(My delusions of grandeur have no rival)
Mountaineers51
· 6 months ago
thebuckstopshere, keep in mind you still have to play against Penn State buddy. Don't be surprised if Penn State makes a run for the Big Ten this year. Seems to me everyone's underestimating Darryl Clark and Royster.
tim1969
· 4 months ago
You would think that after the years of getting a severe beating in the championship games you dumb Buckeyes would wake up and see that your precious team isn't all it's cracked up to be. Once AGAIN, OSU is starting out ranked higher than they should be. Complete garbage, and if you think Pryor is gonna outshine Tebow, you obviously need to pull your head out. I'm not even a Florida fan but can see that they have a lot more talent than OSU.
Kevin @ Fanblogs
· 7 months ago
I thought your position on polls was no polls before week 5, Ben. Does this count as before or just way after? ;-)
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 7 months ago
Red Matter allows for the utilization of preseason polls when it is convenient for the universe...
Ben Prather
· 7 months ago
I don't believe I have ever stated that. When I wrote ranking programs 10 years ago I generated rankings from the first week.
I do believe rankings should state their uncertainty. Preseason polls have significantly higher uncertainty than a poll towards the end of the season, beyond what appears in the standard deviation measure.
But regardless of my philosophy on the matter, they exist. not only do they exist but they determine who is able to get to the national championship game.
If you are not above the gap that is after #21 this year you have no chance at the title unless you beat 3 or more teams above that line. Additionally, if you are above the line that is after #10 this year you might even be able to make it in with a loss.
Like it or not, that is the way of the current system.
Dustin Draper
· 7 months ago
Sweet! I like this, my picks for OVERRATED teams: USC (new QB, lost key defensive players), Georgia Teach (won a lot of close games last year, teams will figure this team out a lot easier this year) LSU/Georgia (no reason to beleive either teams make it through the landmine field of the SEC with what they've got; especially with how good Ol Miss, Florida, and Alabama should be) OSU (Pryor is ridiculously good, but good enough to carry his team to top ten? I wouldn't bet on it), Notre Dame (One of the most over-rated teams historically) Texas Tech (I love Leach, but Harell and Crabtree were so good, they're going to be hard to replace) UNDERRATED TEAMS: ECU (18 returning starters and an excellent coach) TCU (Brilliant coach and a great defense, this team ends up in the BCS, of course whether they get a tougher team in the BCS than they had in the Poinsetta bowl last year is doubtful) Iowa (All the games they lost were by a touchdown or less, they get a lot of starters back and the Big 10 is weak)
Ramblin' Gator
· 7 months ago
Should I "teach" you how to spell Georgia Tech? Nah.
I agree that GT is overrated, but I disagree about USC - they just keep on reloading and cruising through the Pac-10 with little resistance. I don't see tOSU beating them either.
refugee4
· 6 months ago
i must say, i disagree about the USC cruising through the PAC-10. im giving you a fair notice to look out for UCLA to fly under the radar i have them losing only one game and thats to CAL. trust me when i tell you UCLA's D is coming with a vengeance. they may not have the big name recruits that you hear about like USC but after looking at their practices and scrimiages their secondary is not to be reckoned with. the run defense is coming together with each day of practice. they can only get better each game. with d- coordinator chuck bullough look for the bruins defense to drastically improve. as for OSU i have terrelle pryor repeating the 2005 texas- vince young role taking his team to the national championship even though they have lost their last 3 bcs appearances. but then again this is college football where upsets happen every weekend. who will be the week 1 victim? also dont be surprised when the gatprs lose to FSU and USC. the ol' ball coach has home field advantage with some nice talent.
Ramblin' Gator
· 6 months ago
Personally, I hope you're right about UCLA, but in reality I think you're wrong. I'd really like to see someone in the Pac-10 challenging USC, but I doubt this will be the year for that.
I agree with you about T-Pryor, but in the future - not this year. Don't forget, Vince Young's national title run happened when he was a senior. My feeling is Pryor needs another year to mature, then watch out for tOSU.
My belief is the only team that could beat the Gators (in the 2009 regular season) is the Gators. Injuries and overconfidence took UGA from #1 to out of the running in 2008 and the same fate could await the Gators if they aren't careful. The toughest game will be against LSU. I really don't believe FSU or the Gamecocks will get close to the Gators this year. UF will face Bama, LSU, or (my dream matchup) Ole Miss in the SEC-CG and the Gators may be vulnerable in that game.
refugee4
· 6 months ago
this is the perfect time to challenge USC they are very vulnerable right now. UCLA's D has had a major face lift compared to the last few seasons.. look for rahim moore and redshirt freshman aaron hester to make an impact. i know for sure USC wont beat OSU in the horseshoe this year. i guarantee it. also vince young was only a junior and he didnt have the same opportunity to start as Pryor did. vince young was playing backup to i believe chance mock.
dont be in awe when the gator lose. the two teams i named have a legitimate shot at winning. FSU has been slowly returning to thst dominant team we are used to seeing
Ramblin' Gator
· 6 months ago
Let's chat after the USC/UCLA game and UF faces the Gamecocks. Awe? I'll be gobstruck if two unranked teams somehow manage to both defeat the #1 and #4 preseason ranked teams. Clearly you are seeing something me (and ALL of the poll voters) don't, but I guess you know better than all those sports experts and professional handicappers that do this full-time. Somehow, you have the vision to see what they all don't.
I'll grant you that FSU is resurgent and they will give the Gators a much better game in 2009 than they did in 2008, but win? You are betting on 3 BIG longshots and nobody's giving you odds.
1Tomcat
· 6 months ago
RG VY redshirted is first year and had I more year of eligibility, left early wasn't really a senior. Texas put in a fresh QB, McCoy and dropped 3 games with the same team. I agree that the SEC CCg game might very well feature Ole Miss- both Bama & LSU have 1st year QB's and Snead will have a better year.
Ramblin' Gator
· 6 months ago
Thanks, Tomcat. I was trying to express my opinion that Pryor isn't ready to lead tOSU to the MNC and I fumbled the comparison to VY.
(Senior) NOT = (RS Junior)
1Tomcat
· 6 months ago
Its all cool man, heck I've made alot of errors on here too, my memory excapes me at times. I try to be factual, but I get confused. tOSU is one of those teams that year in and year out does an excellent job in every aspect. Teams like USC, OSU & Texas have everything in place to be successful, just about evry season.They dont really rebuild, they reload. TOSU only had 3 losses last season USC,PSU and Texas were all ranked opponents. I thought they had excellent special teams and a strong defense, the running game was used quite a bit, which helped open up the passing game, they played Texas a heck of a game and I thought Pryor looked pretty good. He will only improve with experience, its really hard to defend a dual threat QB. The USC @ tOSU is really a big one, The Trojans lost a lot of good defensive players, but heck they dominate the west coast in recruiting, just like tOSU does in their conference. Pete Carrol always puts out a really good football team and so does Tressel. These early season matchups are kind of like bowls and we dont see to many high quality matchups like this anymore. Hookem-Horns
Ben Prather
· 6 months ago
TCU loses a step on defense, but they had such a lead on everyone last year here that it will be more than made up by the fact they might actually have some semblance of an offense.
TCU will be more balanced next year and better because of this. That is scary.
Boise State needs to be in the MWC, say announced around June 6th?
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
What happens on June 6th?
That'd be a fantastic move if it happens. I for one would love to see that.
Ben Prather
· 6 months ago
MWC board meets, Craig Thompson always points his finger at those meetings when the topic of MWC expansion arises.
AlexSmithLOL
· 7 months ago
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
CouchQB
· 6 months ago
As a PAC-10 fan, I have a hard time understanding why Oregon is getting so much hype pre-season.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
They usually do, don't they?
I could be wrong, but it just seems like virtually every year SC is somewhere in the top 10 and then the pollsters throw Oregon in somewhere just below. I guess they assume the Ducks will be 2nd in the Pac 10 every year.
I'm not saying that I agree with them, but that's the way it seems to me.
CouchQB
· 6 months ago
To be fair to USC though, they do justify the top-10 preseason ranks in recent years by, basically, demolishing conference and non-conference opponents alike, winning conference/national championships, etc., save for the occasional "wtf" upset. Oregon I don't understand though, especially this coming season. New coach, new players on both sides of the ball, new system,...there are going to be growing pains.
Ah well. All the better for my Bears when we kick their asses in Eugene! ;)
1Tomcat
· 6 months ago
Edwin the Ducks have two big early out of conference matchups against good quality opponents Utah and Boise st we will know more about the Ducks after those two games The USC @ tOSU game is huge
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
I agree with you, and I do expect the Bears to beat the Ducks this year, but we'll have to see how they shape up in the fall.
TheMayor
· 6 months ago
Clemson Joe, stay home...
Cal beats UO? Based on what? Cal was not that impressive last year and has little improvement on the horizon. I am more worried about Utah, BSU, the Beavers and UA (in Tucson) than I am the lowly Bears.
I think UO beats Cal and USC at Autzen this year...so does ESPN CFB.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
Upsets happen every week, and I believe Cal will beat Oregon at this stage. My opinion may change during the season, but again, right now, I think the Bears will beat the Ducks.
You can disagree all you want about who you think will win the game, as you are certainly entitled to your opinion as much as anyone else. You can't disagree that the favorite does not always win, and they'll settle this one on the field, and we'll see then for sure.
CouchQB
· 6 months ago
Bet you thought the Ducks would win last year too,...and the year before that,...and the year before that...
TheMayor
· 6 months ago
"Bet you thought the Ducks would win last year too (no I didn't, not in the rain, I watched it from the Paragon Bar at The Claremont),...
and the year before that (yes I did, I was at that game, a heartbreaker, 2 feet from the tie for overtime)
,...and the year before that (certainly thought we'd fair better but did not expect a win, that was the last game I will ever attend at Memorial, what a dump!)...
I still think the Ducks get the W in Eugene on the 26th.
CouchQB
· 6 months ago
Question: Why would you think it raining be an advantage for Cal and not the Ducks? I thought Eugene was known for being wet a lot of the time? No? I ask because I was sure Cal was going to LOSE that game for exactly the same reason haha.
TheMayor
· 6 months ago
We have an indoor practice facility now, wussies...but the rain that day wasn't an advantage for anyone. At Kickoff, I was the only person watching the game at Paragon, by halftime it was wall to wall wet bear and duck.
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 6 months ago
10-4. This is the Rubber Duck. Dem Bear are wall-to-wall!!
(We got a big old convoy, trucking on thru the night, come on join our convoy, what a beautiful sight, CONVOY.......)
TheMayor
· 6 months ago
Edwin,
Same coach (almost), same system, same QB, great home schedule and ESPN picks them number one in Pac 10....? What is your issue? Best of luck in Autzen on 9/26...I think you'll need it.
CouchQB
· 6 months ago
"Almost" same coach is not the same coach. You can't say that there will be zero transition issues. There's no doubt that Oregon's got some serious skill players, but what's more important than that BY FAR in my opinion are the lines on both sides of the ball, which Oregon has some huge question marks on right now. A great QB can't do much without an O-line to protect him, and a great RB may not look so great without some big guys blocking/creating holes for him, and a defense can't do much without pressuring an opposing QB. And look, if I'm wrong, I'm wrong. Not trying to create a sh!tstorm or anything, this is just my opinion based on how I've read/seen both teams shaping up this pre-season.
TheMayor
· 6 months ago
Your opinion is respected here. Where do you see Cal finishing? Is it another lock for USC this year?
CouchQB
· 6 months ago
As a Cal fan, I'm more excited (pre-season wise) about our team this coming year than any of Tedford's teams except 2006. A lot of it admittedly has to do with Jahvid Best and our O-line being so solid. 2006 was the year we dropped the ball at Tennessee, but came back to become co-PAC-10 champs with USC.
I got to give USC the benefit of the doubt next year and say they're going to win the PAC-10 again next year, but I do think that they are as vulnerable to an upset or two next year as any time in recent history. That's what I'm hoping for when they visit Berkeley early in the season.
I don't see Cal placing lower than 3rd in the PAC-10 next season. Luckily, there will be an awesome gauge early in the season since we play Oregon and USC back-to-back in late Sept/Oct. So right now I'll say USC #1, and #2 toss-up between Oregon & Cal. If we get by the Ducks, I'll move Cal to #2 and Oregon #3, and if we get by the Trojans, then, I don't think anybody can really say anything if I slot Cal in as #1 in the PAC-10 next year.
Here's hoping.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
What about Oregon State? Did they lose a lot? If not, they should be pretty solid this season.
Forgive my ignorance but it's rather difficult to stay up on the Pac-10 while living in the Southeast. Any and all insight is very welcomed.
TheMayor
· 6 months ago
I don't live in the state of Oregon anymore so I am not sure how they'll do this year either. I know that their QB Moevao is back along with the Rodgers brothers and that they will be gunning for the Ducks (who trounced their Rose Bowl dreams last year).
Their defense gave up 65 points to UO last year but then blanked Pitt 3-0 in the Sun Bowl. Only 3 starters are returning on defense.
They have USC, Cal and UO all on the road this year.
On the positive side, under Reily the Beavers always end the season rank higher than the Pac-10 pundits picked them. They have also won 5 bowl games in a row.
CouchQB
· 6 months ago
Agree, the story with Oregon State usually is that they drop a game early in the season that they shouldn't have, everybody says "WTF!" and writes them off, and they come back and become a surprisingly formidable team to the rest of the PAC-10 (last year beat Cal, USC and won their bowl game). Don't underestimate the Beavs.
U.of S.C.1978
· 6 months ago
Ben your post actually makes me happy that we got Georgia, Ole Miss, Bama and Florida on the schedule this year. It's a weird kind of happiness though!
Ramblin' Gator
· 6 months ago
Kind of like looking forward to your root canal appointment?
War_Eagle_Atlanta
· 6 months ago
They do give you that gas, which is fun...
U.of S.C.1978
· 6 months ago
LOL, yeah it's a lot like that RG.
SugarBowlChamps
· 6 months ago
I would love to see Boise st. join the mountain west. Do you think Utah, TCU, and Boise St would be comparable to the Big easts top teams?(Cin, WVU, and Pitt). I do, the mountain west would have crushed the big east last year even with out Boise st.
Ben Prather
· 6 months ago
With the addition of Bosie State the sum of the MWC's members average attendance would be higher than the Big East.
Utah sold 14,500 tickets to the Sugar Bowl in 2008 (Before Alabama fans bough a bunch from them) while West Virginia sole 8,500 tickets to the Fiesta Bowl. I do not mention the 2004 Fiesta Bowl because the travel distances are not comperable.
With Boise State the MWC would have more ticket buying fans than the Big East.
This begs the question...
Shouldn't the BCS distribute revenue to conferences in a way that rewards conferences that have a larger fan base?
The Big East is much closer to the MWC than the SEC, should the SEC not be outraged they recieve only as much as the Big East?
Regan
· 6 months ago
Ben. I have been a huge Star Trek fan since the tender age of four; I have massive...opinions...regarding the...movie...that is out now.
Please don't get me started...thanks, bud. :)
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
I am not a big Trekkie at all, but I have historically enjoyed the movies. I've never gotten into the TV show however.
I was planning on seeing the movie sometime next weekend, so I'd like to hear your opinion before I do.
Regan
· 6 months ago
No...ya really don't, bud... :)
I haven't seen it and don't want to. I consider this to be the absolute rape of the franchise I've loved since I can remember.
It would be like in Star Wars, someone came along and said "the past 30 years of backstory never happened", then got Leonardo DiCaprio to play Anakin, Ben Affleck to play Han, Ben Prather to play Boba Fett (now Han Solo's brother), changed the storyline so that Tattooine gets blown up in the first 10 minutes because some idiot we've never heard of before goes back in time for some reason and future Obi-Wan sends Jar-Jar back in time to warn past Obi-Wan to stop them before they can blow up Coruscant...
...but throwing in a whole bunch of kewl special FX and great marketing with some up-and-coming actors...
Just like a comic book movie. Star Trek has inspired thousands upon thousands of people in the science, technology, and any other field you can imagine, as well as have a massive cultural impact on our society, positively envisioning a future where humanity was united in spirit and held destiny over a better tomorrow.
And the &%%^ole turned it into a &$*@#ng comic-book re-write...
On the plus side, I've heard the movie has lots of big, kewl explosions and a few hotties. Great special FX and lots of hype from the mindless drones who see it as the best thing since 'Wolverine' last week...
&%$ing thing is NOT Star Trek though...
Gar...I have an opinion on this issue....
Sorry...didn't mean to hijack anything...
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
LOL. Point taken, man. Thanks.
I'll check out Wolverine instead then. I grew up on comic books anyway.
DuckCanuck
· 6 months ago
Wolverine was terrible. They messed up Deadpool and decided that, contrary to decades of established comic history, it would be "kewler" to give Wolverine his superpowers at birth.
Clemson_Joe
· 6 months ago
Hmmm...
I haven't yet seen it, and haven't read about it either. I do intend to own it like I own all of the other Marvel related flicks.
From what you say, that doesn't sound very cool. I'll still have to check it out for myself.
I was always a big fan of Sabretooth, and it at least appears that he is portrayed well.
Ben Prather
· 6 months ago
I can see how one might think that from the premise.
But you admit not having seen it.
The way they pulled of the plot makes sense in the Star Trek universe. Despite a plot that turns the Star Trek timeline upside down they paid plenty of homage to the original and genera and established foundatoin of the Star Trek Universe.
Anything more would be a spoiler.
Regan
· 6 months ago
No, I haven't seen it, so I found out what happened.
After all the love I have had for that franchise, though, it utterly destroyed it. It doesn't matter how 'true' it was to the original.
When a franchise starts paying homage to itself instead of carrying on with itself, it's time to strangle a director...
TampaGator
· 6 months ago
Regan:
I'm kinda' that way about the James Bond series (the way you are about Star Trek). Grew up on Bond; read and own all of Fleming's novels; seen and own every Bond movie. With that context in mind, I think you may be putting too much emphasis on the "timeline" in the Star Trek movie.
Consider the last Bond movie: Casino Royale was actually the very first JB book Ian Flemming wrote (circa 1952). The book lays the foundation for Bond's view of women, and the "00" status, among other things.
The movie was in many respects true to the book; however, the "timeline" is flawed, because Casino Royale was the first book, but the 21st movie. In attempting to reconcile the book to contemporary times, it treated the Cold War in the past tense-which is clearly inconsistent with the many Bond movies that dealt with the Cold War, or at least concepts derivative of it--and it treated all of the preceding movies as if they never happened, while laying down Bond's origins.
Hence you have to accept that Bond "begins" post Cold War--despite having grown up on Bond IN and THROUGH the Cold War.
Yet Casino Royale, IMO, is the BEST Bond movie, bar none. The timeline only mattered if you watch the movie in the context of the others. Taken as a stand alone story, the "timeline" vis a vis the other movies was/is meaningless.
I think the same may apply to this Star Trek, though I haven't seen it.
The point is, it's not intended as an actual "trilogy" or such--like the Lord of the Rings, or the original Star Wars--it's intended as an interpretive story about the original characters--just like the Bond movies are interpretations of Fleming's novels by EON productions.
I think if you view the new S'Ttrek in that context--as an interpretation, rather than a new chapter in the same book--you'll probably be able to look right past the timeline issue.
Just a thought.
GO GATORS!!
Ben Prather
· 6 months ago
Star Trek is different because:
1) Time travel and alternate timelines are a significant part of the the Star Trek universe (see TOS Mirror Mirror, Temporal Cold War)
2) The alternate timeline was originated from and dependent on the orignial timeline
3) The events of this movie could help explain the context for parts of the Star Trek franchise, such as the Temporal Cold War from enterprise.
But so far the only people who don't like Star Trek here also tend to argue in support fo the BCS, so...
1Tomcat
· 6 months ago
Not so fast my friend Im a freedom of choice, gun owner who's against war and big government I though the original series was similar to Batman with Adam West, corny lines and silly costumes-sorry I dont dislike star Trek, but never really thought of it much, other than some form of entertainment, it was not to funny or educational- I perfered Laugh In , Get Smart or Gilligans Island-hotter chicks more laughs. Its sad but true, I dont like BCS or Star Wars Hookem-Horns
....even at 12 1years old I threw up in my mouth, it was such a piece of crap. I have never seen it from start to finish.
TampaGator
· 6 months ago
Mayor:
Sadly, I did suffer through it. I never really recongnized that "piece of crap" (very accurate description, b/t/w) as a Bond film. Frankly, it was less "James Bond" than Mike Meyers' movies (The Spy Who Shagged Me, Goldmember, etc.), which are at least as much tribute as spoof, not to mention pretty damn hilarious. That first Casino Royale though, was just plain idiotic.
GO GATORS!!
TheMayor
· 6 months ago
Tampa Gator:
"read and own all of Fleming's novels" I am very impressed. I also grew up on the genre but alas have never read any of the novels.
TampaGator
· 6 months ago
Mr. Mayor:
They're pretty entertaining, not too difficult. If you can only read one, read Casino Royale. Not that it's the best, but it sheds the most light on Flemming's Bond, vs. movie Bond.
If you do, I think you'll see Connery/Moore/ and Daniel Craig in an entirely different light. IMO--Craig is the most true to the book character--dark/troubled character, serious demeanor, not a light-hearted, happy go lucky fella.
GO GATORS!!
4cornerz
· 6 months ago
Well I think this will be USC year. The Big East gets not love again.
DuckNut
· 6 months ago
I think the Ducks have a good shot at besting USC this year, namely: Autzen.
TheMayor
· 6 months ago
It will be a question of which matures the fastest USC's stable of QB's versus Oregon's inexperienced defense. I like the homefield advantage but think that USC will prevail...our defense is just too suspect.
DuckNut
· 6 months ago
When hasn't Oregon's D been suspect in recent years? I really think that their QB's will have a harder time, whereas our guys will prevail (they'll make a few mistakes, but I think they've enough leadership to make up for it).
All Comments
Preseason polls are known by the state of California to contain controversy and no champions in the last 5 years...
Preseason polls contain 100% of the RDA of BCS conferences, and two at large mid-majors...
The consumption of raw preseason poll results, like shellfish, can induce illness and barfing...
Expectant mothers should not consume alcohol nor preseason poll results as there is an increased risk in birth defects--see Zac...
Preseason polls not manufactured in China are certified as 100% lead-free toys, but as a precaution, please do not place in mouth, especially alongside your foot...
Rankings in preseason polls may seem larger than they appear...
If you have an undeserved preseason poll result lasting for longer than 4 weeks, immediately call your doctor and your team's scheduler...
I certainly think Auburn will be a better football team on offense, and will win more games as a result. Two of my coworkers are Auburn guys and they have predicted a 7-5, 8-4 season. What about you?
That sounds reasonable to me.
It's going to be very interesting to see how teams like Auburn, Arkansas, Tennessee, and West Virginia turn out this year. I think those 3 opponents are your biggest toss ups.
I personally am very excited with what Swinney has done so far, and this offseason has been unlike any in a very long time. I expect it to translate to success on the field. The attitude and the culture has changed for the Pickens County Pride (to quote the late Leonard Postosties of Leonard's Losers) and it's gotten me very excited and optimistic.
On that same note, I'd like to know how the Auburn faithful are reacting to Chizik and company running the show. I know the taste was fairly bitter when he was hired, but I'd like to know if that's still the case.
*All of this is barring big time injuries/suspensions.
How many more seasons are you going to let the OBC go before he actually has to have a team that can be competitive on a higher level? Is yet another 6 loss season going to cut it in Columbia? Most of my neighbors in downtown Columbia (not anywhere close to the country) seem to think that if he can't improve this year, you need to move on.
The Clemson - South Carolina game won't be played for another six months. Spell checking in May...
Aren't rivalries great? :-)
Look, my point in saying "competitive on a higher level" is relative to the level of the recent past. So, what I meant by that is that he hasn't had more success than his predecessors in Columbia like most expected. How much longer is the status quo going to work in Columbia? Obviously I know your answer, but from what I'm hearing around town, you're very much in the minority. Most Gamecock fans want to see improvements, or get someone else in there who can actually provide those improvements. Maybe this is the year, but losing that much talent to the draft/graduation is going to be tough to overcome.
Do I really need to go ahead and point out your punctuation misuse or can we go ahead and drop that ridiculousness?
I don't think Coach Spurrier thought coming in, that it was going to be easy. And like every other program, we have a lot of not very knowledgeable fans. The important thing, is that the program not be guided by these idiots on the street.
Yes we lost a lot of talent this year. But the general level of talent, is higher than ever before. That counts in my book, as a success. Indeed, even as a necessary precursor, to further success in the SEC.
I'll probably stay tough on the spelling thing, lol. Punctuation, not so much.
Anyway, you're right that every program has a lot of not so knowledgeable fans. The ones that I was referring to are close to the program and are donors. As a matter of fact, one of them gave enough to be the school's top donor and to have his name on the stadium. So, it's his opinion that I hold a little higher than most. This is the first year since Holtz's first year in Columbia that I haven't heard optimism from him.
However, none of that really matters, because if it did, there'd be no reason to play the games. So, we'll see how it plays out on the field. I personally believe that you guys are in for quite a test up in Raleigh on opening Thursday. Best of luck though, and just like every other year, I'll be in attendance for quite a few of them.
That's why I pointed it out. I try to never to do that.
"Not that there's anything wrong with that," for the Seinfeld fans.
All of these pointless extra commas are driving me up the wall. You should try reading your posts out loud sometime, lol.
and did you ever think that maybe it's a waste of effort going after 5 star recruits?
it's not gonna happen. once they see the product Chizik throws out on the field, all your recruits will run for the hills.
(I posted using Facebook Connect for the 1st time up above...I'll clue you guys in as to how it goes)...
BC's in Law School?
LMAO...Seriously?
You guys go take a look at that Tennessee thread again...
That Clarence Darrow comparison's even funnier now...I had no idea!
We may be seeing you on a street corner sometime in the future TE..holding a sign ;-)
Make sure you spelt the words right...
was that spelt right?
I seem to be missin it....where does it say BC is in law school?
GO GATORS!!
" if anyone needs an attorney, just message me on DISQUS "
Nothing that say's he's a Law student......but what do I know..
God I can't wait for kickoff. 115 days left (I think...) until the season starts.
they're returning 17 starters from a team that beat up on LSU, Auburn, and lost to Ole Miss by 2. (17 is the most returning starters in the SEC).
In BC's world, that's "beat up on"...
Let me be your Huckleberry, here...
You're crazy...
Do yourself a favor and go back and look at it, if you dare...It was VERY obvious...and a VERY safe call...
that's 2 years running now right?
As for the Arkansas game, yes, they've beaten us two years in a row. No one was ever debating that, you simple minded moron.
I was talking about how ridiculous your characterization of it was...
Which is par for the BC course, around 'cheer...
I'm not sure that they'll be 2nd in the SEC west, as I think Ole Miss, LSU, and Alabama will certainly be up there, but I do think they'll be vastly improved.
They beat AU only because AU didnt execute the last play of the game.
So i know you think Bama will win the west, so you think Ark. will beat LSU, AU, and Ole Miss.
There offense wasnt the problem,they had no D last year.
And BTW i have no problem calling you crazy.
year in the West. Hogs 3rd or 4th at best
WARNING: FLAMMABLE. Preseason polls may spontaneously combust. Do not reference preseason polls near an open flame or while smoking. Do not store where temperatures can exceed 120F (Gatorhippys head).
Pre=season polls are like a-oles everybody has one
I would like to say that this thing that Ben posted is an average of many different polls compiled from different pollsters-
First what is Notre Dame doing on there?
Second why did Utah drop so far ?
#6 Ok State has one heck of a schedule, they have a great team but they have early season games against Houston & Georgia they do have Texas at home and the big one @ Norman I could see them knocking off maybe 1 or 2, but not all of them -any team that beats UGa,Tex and OU in the same season would be in the hunt for a MNC game
Did you guyz see that? He stole my line. ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS!!! Buckster, if you're going to steal one-o-my lines, grabz the whole thing. Ya gotsta put "Remember." in front of it foist. Got it?
Just josh'n, big guy. I'd have to say, if OSU gets the convincing win over USC in the shoe, odds are OSU will run the table. Offensively, your boyz should be dyno-mite! Defensively, I see a lot of holes needing filled. Of course, 4 years ago a lot of holes were filled. Yet, OSU played a dominant game in Austin, answering any questions people had about the "D". I can't wait to find out, mind you. In fact, it would suit me just fine if the 1st game were played tomorrow. Heck, make that this afternoon. (Am I sick? I'm actually in the mood for ESPN's College Game Day!)
One more thing: What if TX runs the table, as well as OSU, as well as say, VA Tech? Provided FL doesn't disappoint, who gets to play em?
(Sorry about your line again)
Do you have any bold predictions? Come on Zac what say you???
(And oh yeah after Navy losses to OSU they run the table too.....)
In the words of Judy Tinuta, "It could happen." I think not, mind you, but I do expect a vast improvement over last year. It happened at WVU; it will happen at Michigan. I see them winning at least 9 games (bowl included). Thing is, if (Dare I say it?) OSU gets owned in the shoe by USC, I suspect one of MI's 9 wins will be over the Buckeyes. Sorry, Buckeroo, but that's my prediction.
Oh, remember; you heard it hear 1st.
...and never again.
Although they’re on the cusp of becoming a DYNASTY if not that then at the very least the most dominate team of this decade.
My skepticism about tOSU is really based on voter perception. At this point, I think it's entirely possible that the poll voters would send a reputable 1-loss team (Texas?) to the BCS-CG before sending an undefeated tOSU.
I’m with you though I think Florida finally goes undefeated for the regular season.
First, since there are no polls yet how do we know that tOSU won't already be in the top five at the beginning of the season?
Second, each season there is to be a game that Florida loses that it has no business losing...
This is called the Gator Choke and it is cosmic law...
Even Tebow cannot defy this...
However, should your farfetched BCS CG matchup prediction of Gates/tOSU come true, it will certainly cause me a huge problem given that last season we started a new tradition of coordinating our tailgating menu around foods associated with the opponent to be played...
I'm just not sure how one goes about preparing a heaping pile of FAIL...
It sounds like you might already be in a state of shock before the game gets played. I mean with the Gators not choking in direct defiance of a cosmic law, it would be like someone switching off gravity. This surely is a bad omen, maybe a sign of the apocalypse.
But wait all is well; you see the Gator Choke is still there. The all to familiar sensation was just on hiatus. This year it decided to culminate and manifest itself into the greatest Gator Choke of all time, a devastating lose in the NCG. And all will be right in the cosmos after peace and harmony are restored by the Buckeyes in the form of a Gator thrashing. Tebow himself will ascend into the heavens after having been forsaken by the jean short wearing masses. And a new chosen one will be crowned on his way to becoming the greatest of all time.
So be prepared to conjure up a heaping pile of AMBROSIA because from that day forward they will be "associated" with the GODS.
(My delusions of grandeur have no rival)
I do believe rankings should state their uncertainty. Preseason polls have significantly higher uncertainty than a poll towards the end of the season, beyond what appears in the standard deviation measure.
But regardless of my philosophy on the matter, they exist. not only do they exist but they determine who is able to get to the national championship game.
If you are not above the gap that is after #21 this year you have no chance at the title unless you beat 3 or more teams above that line. Additionally, if you are above the line that is after #10 this year you might even be able to make it in with a loss.
Like it or not, that is the way of the current system.
UNDERRATED TEAMS: ECU (18 returning starters and an excellent coach) TCU (Brilliant coach and a great defense, this team ends up in the BCS, of course whether they get a tougher team in the BCS than they had in the Poinsetta bowl last year is doubtful) Iowa (All the games they lost were by a touchdown or less, they get a lot of starters back and the Big 10 is weak)
I agree that GT is overrated, but I disagree about USC - they just keep on reloading and cruising through the Pac-10 with little resistance. I don't see tOSU beating them either.
I agree with you about T-Pryor, but in the future - not this year. Don't forget, Vince Young's national title run happened when he was a senior. My feeling is Pryor needs another year to mature, then watch out for tOSU.
My belief is the only team that could beat the Gators (in the 2009 regular season) is the Gators. Injuries and overconfidence took UGA from #1 to out of the running in 2008 and the same fate could await the Gators if they aren't careful. The toughest game will be against LSU. I really don't believe FSU or the Gamecocks will get close to the Gators this year. UF will face Bama, LSU, or (my dream matchup) Ole Miss in the SEC-CG and the Gators may be vulnerable in that game.
also vince young was only a junior and he didnt have the same opportunity to start as Pryor did. vince young was playing backup to i believe chance mock.
dont be in awe when the gator lose. the two teams i named have a legitimate shot at winning. FSU has been slowly returning to thst dominant team we are used to seeing
I'll grant you that FSU is resurgent and they will give the Gators a much better game in 2009 than they did in 2008, but win? You are betting on 3 BIG longshots and nobody's giving you odds.
I agree that the SEC CCg game might very well feature Ole Miss- both Bama & LSU have 1st year QB's and Snead will have a better year.
(Senior) NOT = (RS Junior)
tOSU is one of those teams that year in and year out does an excellent job in every aspect. Teams like USC, OSU & Texas have everything in place to be successful, just about evry season.They dont really rebuild, they reload. TOSU only had 3 losses last season USC,PSU and Texas were all ranked opponents. I thought they had excellent special teams and a strong defense, the running game was used quite a bit, which helped open up the passing game, they played Texas a heck of a game and I thought Pryor looked pretty good. He will only improve with experience, its really hard to defend a dual threat QB.
The USC @ tOSU is really a big one, The Trojans lost a lot of good defensive players, but heck they dominate the west coast in recruiting, just like tOSU does in their conference. Pete Carrol always puts out a really good football team and so does Tressel. These early season matchups are kind of like bowls and we dont see to many high quality matchups like this anymore.
Hookem-Horns
TCU will be more balanced next year and better because of this. That is scary.
Boise State needs to be in the MWC, say announced around June 6th?
That'd be a fantastic move if it happens. I for one would love to see that.
I could be wrong, but it just seems like virtually every year SC is somewhere in the top 10 and then the pollsters throw Oregon in somewhere just below. I guess they assume the Ducks will be 2nd in the Pac 10 every year.
I'm not saying that I agree with them, but that's the way it seems to me.
Ah well. All the better for my Bears when we kick their asses in Eugene! ;)
The USC @ tOSU game is huge
Cal beats UO? Based on what? Cal was not that impressive last year and has little improvement on the horizon. I am more worried about Utah, BSU, the Beavers and UA (in Tucson) than I am the lowly Bears.
I think UO beats Cal and USC at Autzen this year...so does ESPN CFB.
You can disagree all you want about who you think will win the game, as you are certainly entitled to your opinion as much as anyone else. You can't disagree that the favorite does not always win, and they'll settle this one on the field, and we'll see then for sure.
and the year before that (yes I did, I was at that game, a heartbreaker, 2 feet from the tie for overtime)
,...and the year before that (certainly thought we'd fair better but did not expect a win, that was the last game I will ever attend at Memorial, what a dump!)...
I still think the Ducks get the W in Eugene on the 26th.
(We got a big old convoy, trucking on thru the night, come on join our convoy, what a beautiful sight, CONVOY.......)
Same coach (almost), same system, same QB, great home schedule and ESPN picks them number one in Pac 10....? What is your issue? Best of luck in Autzen on 9/26...I think you'll need it.
I got to give USC the benefit of the doubt next year and say they're going to win the PAC-10 again next year, but I do think that they are as vulnerable to an upset or two next year as any time in recent history. That's what I'm hoping for when they visit Berkeley early in the season.
I don't see Cal placing lower than 3rd in the PAC-10 next season. Luckily, there will be an awesome gauge early in the season since we play Oregon and USC back-to-back in late Sept/Oct. So right now I'll say USC #1, and #2 toss-up between Oregon & Cal. If we get by the Ducks, I'll move Cal to #2 and Oregon #3, and if we get by the Trojans, then, I don't think anybody can really say anything if I slot Cal in as #1 in the PAC-10 next year.
Here's hoping.
Forgive my ignorance but it's rather difficult to stay up on the Pac-10 while living in the Southeast. Any and all insight is very welcomed.
Their defense gave up 65 points to UO last year but then blanked Pitt 3-0 in the Sun Bowl. Only 3 starters are returning on defense.
They have USC, Cal and UO all on the road this year.
On the positive side, under Reily the Beavers always end the season rank higher than the Pac-10 pundits picked them. They have also won 5 bowl games in a row.
Utah sold 14,500 tickets to the Sugar Bowl in 2008 (Before Alabama fans bough a bunch from them) while West Virginia sole 8,500 tickets to the Fiesta Bowl. I do not mention the 2004 Fiesta Bowl because the travel distances are not comperable.
With Boise State the MWC would have more ticket buying fans than the Big East.
This begs the question...
Shouldn't the BCS distribute revenue to conferences in a way that rewards conferences that have a larger fan base?
The Big East is much closer to the MWC than the SEC, should the SEC not be outraged they recieve only as much as the Big East?
Please don't get me started...thanks, bud. :)
I was planning on seeing the movie sometime next weekend, so I'd like to hear your opinion before I do.
I haven't seen it and don't want to. I consider this to be the absolute rape of the franchise I've loved since I can remember.
It would be like in Star Wars, someone came along and said "the past 30 years of backstory never happened", then got Leonardo DiCaprio to play Anakin, Ben Affleck to play Han, Ben Prather to play Boba Fett (now Han Solo's brother), changed the storyline so that Tattooine gets blown up in the first 10 minutes because some idiot we've never heard of before goes back in time for some reason and future Obi-Wan sends Jar-Jar back in time to warn past Obi-Wan to stop them before they can blow up Coruscant...
...but throwing in a whole bunch of kewl special FX and great marketing with some up-and-coming actors...
Just like a comic book movie. Star Trek has inspired thousands upon thousands of people in the science, technology, and any other field you can imagine, as well as have a massive cultural impact on our society, positively envisioning a future where humanity was united in spirit and held destiny over a better tomorrow.
And the &%%^ole turned it into a &$*@#ng comic-book re-write...
On the plus side, I've heard the movie has lots of big, kewl explosions and a few hotties. Great special FX and lots of hype from the mindless drones who see it as the best thing since 'Wolverine' last week...
&%$ing thing is NOT Star Trek though...
Gar...I have an opinion on this issue....
Sorry...didn't mean to hijack anything...
I'll check out Wolverine instead then. I grew up on comic books anyway.
I haven't yet seen it, and haven't read about it either. I do intend to own it like I own all of the other Marvel related flicks.
From what you say, that doesn't sound very cool. I'll still have to check it out for myself.
I was always a big fan of Sabretooth, and it at least appears that he is portrayed well.
But you admit not having seen it.
The way they pulled of the plot makes sense in the Star Trek universe. Despite a plot that turns the Star Trek timeline upside down they paid plenty of homage to the original and genera and established foundatoin of the Star Trek Universe.
Anything more would be a spoiler.
After all the love I have had for that franchise, though, it utterly destroyed it. It doesn't matter how 'true' it was to the original.
When a franchise starts paying homage to itself instead of carrying on with itself, it's time to strangle a director...
I'm kinda' that way about the James Bond series (the way you are about Star Trek). Grew up on Bond; read and own all of Fleming's novels; seen and own every Bond movie. With that context in mind, I think you may be putting too much emphasis on the "timeline" in the Star Trek movie.
Consider the last Bond movie: Casino Royale was actually the very first JB book Ian Flemming wrote (circa 1952). The book lays the foundation for Bond's view of women, and the "00" status, among other things.
The movie was in many respects true to the book; however, the "timeline" is flawed, because Casino Royale was the first book, but the 21st movie. In attempting to reconcile the book to contemporary times, it treated the Cold War in the past tense-which is clearly inconsistent with the many Bond movies that dealt with the Cold War, or at least concepts derivative of it--and it treated all of the preceding movies as if they never happened, while laying down Bond's origins.
Hence you have to accept that Bond "begins" post Cold War--despite having grown up on Bond IN and THROUGH the Cold War.
Yet Casino Royale, IMO, is the BEST Bond movie, bar none. The timeline only mattered if you watch the movie in the context of the others. Taken as a stand alone story, the "timeline" vis a vis the other movies was/is meaningless.
I think the same may apply to this Star Trek, though I haven't seen it.
The point is, it's not intended as an actual "trilogy" or such--like the Lord of the Rings, or the original Star Wars--it's intended as an interpretive story about the original characters--just like the Bond movies are interpretations of Fleming's novels by EON productions.
I think if you view the new S'Ttrek in that context--as an interpretation, rather than a new chapter in the same book--you'll probably be able to look right past the timeline issue.
Just a thought.
GO GATORS!!
1) Time travel and alternate timelines are a significant part of the the Star Trek universe
(see TOS Mirror Mirror, Temporal Cold War)
2) The alternate timeline was originated from and dependent on the orignial timeline
3) The events of this movie could help explain the context for parts of the Star Trek franchise, such as the Temporal Cold War from enterprise.
But so far the only people who don't like Star Trek here also tend to argue in support fo the BCS, so...
Im a freedom of choice, gun owner who's against war and big government
I though the original series was similar to Batman with Adam West, corny lines and silly costumes-sorry I dont dislike star Trek, but never really thought of it much, other than some form of entertainment, it was not to funny or educational- I perfered Laugh In , Get Smart or Gilligans Island-hotter chicks more laughs. Its sad but true, I dont like BCS or Star Wars
Hookem-Horns
You may be too young to remember the first Casino Royale with David Niven and Woody Allen. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061452/)
....even at 12 1years old I threw up in my mouth, it was such a piece of crap. I have never seen it from start to finish.
Sadly, I did suffer through it. I never really recongnized that "piece of crap" (very accurate description, b/t/w) as a Bond film. Frankly, it was less "James Bond" than Mike Meyers' movies (The Spy Who Shagged Me, Goldmember, etc.), which are at least as much tribute as spoof, not to mention pretty damn hilarious. That first Casino Royale though, was just plain idiotic.
GO GATORS!!
"read and own all of Fleming's novels" I am very impressed. I also grew up on the genre but alas have never read any of the novels.
They're pretty entertaining, not too difficult. If you can only read one, read Casino Royale. Not that it's the best, but it sheds the most light on Flemming's Bond, vs. movie Bond.
If you do, I think you'll see Connery/Moore/ and Daniel Craig in an entirely different light. IMO--Craig is the most true to the book character--dark/troubled character, serious demeanor, not a light-hearted, happy go lucky fella.
GO GATORS!!