National Top 10:
- Ohio State - They get my top spot because of the returning defense led by James Laurinaitis (my Butkus front-runner) and Malcolm Jenkins (who would've been a 1st round NFL pick) at corner....but not just that...Beanie Wells will be the nation's top running back (sorry Knowshon) as he'll get the huge bulk of the carries and with returning 30-year-old (only slightly exaggerated) starting QB Todd Boeckman, I'm going with the experience and the Buckeyes.....pain......
- USC - This was Georgia until Trinton Sturdivant went out for the year....you're saying to yourself....isn't Mark Sanchez hurt? Well...he very well may be but I don't think it matters when you have former #1 overall recruit Mitch Mustain behind him....and what has Mark Sanchez proven anyway? Not a whole lot....The Men of Troy are here because of returning Butkus candidates Rey Maualuga and Brian Cushing leading likely the most athletic and fastest defense in the country....How bout Super Soph Joe McKnight getting more carries this year? How bout a receiving corps that comes back in tact and now can put that talent with some experience?
- Oklahoma - Whoa...no Georgia yet? just wait....Oklahoma returns the best QB in the country not named Tebow and the best offensive line in the country bar-none....and since I'm a sucker for O-line...they go here...DeMarco Murray should be the first-team all-conference tailback, and their only concerns are consistency (an Oklahoma staple) and replacing Curtis Lofton who is currently playing for my hometown Atlanta Falcons....I think they are up to the task....
- Georgia - Okay fellas...here you go....The Sturdivant injury is ENORMOUS for the Dawgs....that said, you can't ignore the talent level...especially in the backfield....Matt Stafford has the best group of QB tools in the country including Mr. Tebow and would go higher in the NFL Draft if it were today....Knowshon Moreno is the most electrifying runner in the country and is now finally being joined by speedster and former #1 RB recruit Caleb King to form the country's fastest (apologies to Clemson) backfield....Rennie Curran and All-American candidate Dannell Ellerbe anchor an experienced defense that didn't lose a whole lot from last year's fine squad....the issue, as it has been for years with UGA is on the outside....both the secondary and especially the Wide Receiver corps have issues that need to be addressed....
- Clemson - I'm taking the dive with this team....the perennial under-achievers return the single best group of skill guys on offense in the country with Cullen Harper, James Davis, CJ Spiller, and Aaron Kelly....in addition they have a recruiting class that is primed to play right away....and the most talented defense in the conference without fail....Clearly, there are issues starting at the top with Tommy Bowden who has never succeeded in putting a full season together...but I'll put some faith in them for now...
- Florida - I was alot more excited about Florida until Cornelius Ingram went down.....the WR/TE combo man in the Antonio Gates mold didn't allow for defenses to key on the speedsters on the outside by providing a big/athletic target over the middle of the field....without him...they are still hugely talented with Tebow, Percy Harvin, and the gang on the outside....The D is somehow still very young...but there's only so many big-time talents on that side before they put it together...watch for true freshman Omar Hunter (out of Buford, GA) to contribute right away....
- Texas - Everyone has forgotten about the Horns....but I haven't....last year, I thought they were sort of a mess...but with a healthy Colt McCoy back and minimal losses outside of Jamaal Charles, I like this team.....New DC Will Muschamp should have that unit on full blast....I think Quan Cosby was actually their best WR even when Limas Sweed was around...and he gets a chance to prove me right this year....
- Wisconsin - Allan Evridge gets a whole lot of pressure put on him as a first-year starter joining the 2nd most talented team in the Big-10....the offensive line is always a strength here but all 4 D-Line members return as well...and with 1st-team All-American lock TE Travis Beckum running wild...I'm thinking something in the neighborhood of 10-2 for the Badgers....
- LSU - Boy if they had a quarterback....this team has talent everywhere yet again....they very well may have all 4 D-Line starters drafted on the first day of the NFL Draft...which is totally ludicrous....and coupled with a nationally-recognizable O-Line, LSU, I believe has the best lines in the country....that said, they lose a whole lot in the back 7 on the defense, and obviously Matt Flynn, Jacob Hester, and Early Doucet aren't walking through that door....the defense and running game have to be dominant here....
- Auburn- My sources have been whispering about good this defense could be and I don't doubt it....this is likely the most talented secondary in the country...in a theme this year...the QB controversy will likely overshadow how good the defense could be....but if Kodi Burns is ready...he's gotta be the guy or the Auburn faithful will be calling Tommy Tuberville....alot....
Notable omissions: Missouri (a benefit of a nothing schedule last year...not a believer), West Virginia (Pat White and Noel Devine can't make up for the rest of the deficiencies)
1 comment:
Couple of things. What issues are there to be addressed in the UGA secondary. I would really like for you to elaborate on that, but I don't really find that possible seeing how UGA certainly has the fastest and most skilled secondary in the SEC and quite possibly the entire nation. Asher Allen, Prince Miller, Brian Evans, Ramarcus Brown, Vance Cuff all at corner. Rashad Jones and C.J. Byrd at safety. What are these issues you speak of? Also, are you serious about Auburn's secondary. Sure, they were going to be good before Airon Savage went out for the season, but he's out. I think you are over playing the Trinton Sturdivant issue. Yes, it will hurt, but UGA has very good quality depth behind him. If they move Tripp (who has broken virtually every UGA lineman record for speed and weightlifting this summer) they will be more than okay. Additionally, Missouri has to be in the top 10. Your reasoning was that last year their schedule was weak. Have you looked at their schedule for this year. It is a joke. They will be 11-1 and represent the Big 12 North in December. On USC, are you not discounting the Sanchez injury just a little. What the hell has Mitch Mustain ever done? The last time we saw him he threw for under 1000 yards with 9 TD's & 10 INT's. On the other hand I think you are over playing USC's overall offensive talent. Yes, McKnight is very talented. Sanchez has skills and the receivers are above average. But this is NOT the same USC offense the coutnry has come accustomed to over the past 5 or 6 years. Just some thoughts.
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