Next Year's National Championship

[Jayhawk_Thor]

Can't help it, already thinking ahead.


My prediction:

(If Vince comes back)

Texas vs. Notre Dame

(If Vince doesn't come back)

Ohio St. vs. Notre Dame


This is assuming that Bush and White both leave USC... if White comes back I would see USC beating ND at home (could of course anyway).


Sleeper teams: West Virginia and Texas Tech

- Both will be playing relatively soft schedules... especially WV. TT would have to get by Texas and Oklahoma of course.


Just wondering what your guys's predictions are...

 

[gman2]

ohio state loses a ton from their defense. tressel will always find a way to field a good defensive team and they've got a lot of top notch talent on the way but they go from having the best linebackers in the country to having basically an entirely new group at that position. their offense will be really good though (although losing holmes hurts).

 

[Statman02]

prediction: Texas is ranked no 1 to start the season and Ohio State goes down there in week #2 and beats their ass

 

[Jayhawk_Thor]

I was really encouraged by how Tressel used Ginn in the bowl game, and Smith looked like an entirely new QB from earlier in the season. Also heard Tressel and his staff are going to spend some time with NFL coaches to get ideas on how to utilize Ginn more often next year.

I think they have a good chance. Although, they will have to play in Austin, and play Michigan at home... so it won't be easy. But they do not have a conferance championship game, which will help...

Probably going to put money on West Virginia to win it all when the lines come out. They will be a good value, I think.

 

[blgstocks]

If VY comes back to Texas they will be in NC. But assuming he doesnt I predict it will be VaTech or West Virginia vs. ASU.
I think Vatech plays WV so winner of this game obviously.

Each one of these teams ended on a high note with a win. VaTech is near tops most years and nothing will be different cept Marcus Vick will have more experience. Top 5 defense + dangerous, experienced offense = repeat of 1999 season going 12-0(i think it was 99 might have been 00 though)

WV loses almost nobody and had a great year and took Georgia to the cleaners with a simple offensive attack that could not be stopped, with such an easy schedule next year with the Big East scrubs I dont see too many challenges for them not to keep thier high rank at the end of this season (#5)

ASU has got 1 of the top offenses in the country and besides losing a great wideout in #80 hagan they are only maturing two very good qbs and a great young core of wideouts. They are grabbing a few seasoned highly rated JUCO Dline and Dbacks for their terrible defense. If they focus more on defense they will have an easy time in another weak conference that is the Pac10 going 1-4 ATS in bowl games this year

 

[gman2]

WV loses almost nobody and had a great year and took Georgia to the cleaners with a simple offensive attack that could not be stopped, with such an easy schedule next year with the Big East scrubs I dont see too many challenges for them not to keep thier high rank at the end of this season (#5)

louisville on the road will derail their national title hopes. but regardless, wvu is going to be very, very good.

i think california is a legitimate national title contender next season. much more so than asu.

 

[blgstocks]

louisville on the road will derail their national title hopes. but regardless, wvu is going to be very, very good.

i think california is a legitimate national title contender next season. much more so than asu.

ASU ALMOST beat LSU and USC next year they will get over the hump i think

Why you like Cal more than ASU?

 

[Scott4USC]

If Lendale White comes back, I think USC has a "chance" to make a run. USC needs team leaders on D next year. That should be the #1 goal in off season. No leaders on D. But USC will have a nasty defense next year. Unproven but talented QB could be downfall.

It will be fun again watching USC football because every game next year USC won't be a slam dunk to win.

2 years from now USC will win the National Championship. Team will be loaded entire 2-deep of 4 and 5 star recruits. 1st and 2nd string. Mark my words!

 

[gman2]

ASU ALMOST beat LSU and USC next year they will get over the hump i think

Why you like Cal more than ASU?

very simple.
they have the ability to run the football. lynch is a stud and forsett is a great change-up back. and jackson at wideout is only going to get better. hopefully their quarterback situation plays itself out. not sure if theyre counting on longshore or what.
to win a national championship, you have to be able to run the football though. cal can do that.
also think cal's defense is light years ahead of asu's.

 

[blgstocks]

very simple.
they have the ability to run the football. lynch is a stud and forsett is a great change-up back. and jackson at wideout is only going to get better. hopefully their quarterback situation plays itself out. not sure if theyre counting on longshore or what.
to win a national championship, you have to be able to run the football though. cal can do that.
also think cal's defense is light years ahead of asu's.

Good point about running football, i strongly agree that why i loved Texas this year and am confident about Vatech chances next year.

I think the two things a team will need to win NC is a great defense and a consistent running attack.

I dont see either in ASU but they are so electric on offense against everyone and if they add to their D i think they have a good shot of routing the Pac.

IF White comes back next year Scott, which he prolly wont, SC has a good shot against the Pac as well. I agree that their D next year will be mean

 

[Jayhawk_Thor]

Blgstocks... surprised you said ASU... hadnt even thought of them... With Hagen leaving I hadnt even really considered them...

I do like your Va. Tech pick though. They are gonna be good. I didnt say them originally because they will play a brutal schedule, and then have to play in the ACC championship, assuming they are undefeated... that would be a monster schedule to overcome... they definately have the talent though.

And Scott, I agree with you on USC. Their D will be swarming next year. Which is to say nothing of the offense, which will have the best returning WR in the game IMO (Jarrett) and a stud QB in the wings to continue the tradition (Booty). Pac-10 will be much improved. I like Oregon too.

 

[gman2]

jayhawk- i ask this very seriously (although it has nothing to do with the national title picture for next year)

how much of kansas' defense is graduating? i really like the job mangino is doing there. do they lose a lot or are they going to be even better defensively in '06?

 

[Jayhawk_Thor]

Gman-

They lose a lot. Reid (D player of the year in Big 12) graduates, as does DE Keith (who most people in Lawrence thought was more valuable than Reid). The other two LB's graduate as well, Kane and Floodman.

The DL will be improved, however, as will the secondary, which was young and inexperianced this year.

I say this with the assumption (and utmost hope) that DB/WR Charles Gordon (he is a junior) comes back, which I think will happen.

KU does have some athletes to get in at LB though, as one of Mangino's biggest recruits ever, Brandon Duncan (who originally committed to Texas) will step in. This will be only his second year in the program.

Hope this answered your question Gman... i dont expect them to be as stout defensively, but I expect big improvements with the offense, and I would expect them to get back to a bowl game.

I also think Mangino is doing a great job... =) For my final speech in Public Speaking this year, I explained to the class why he deserved a contract extension. Needless to say, I got an A... =)

 

[thom24ad]

ohio state loses a ton from their defense. tressel will always find a way to field a good defensive team and they've got a lot of top notch talent on the way but they go from having the best linebackers in the country to having basically an entirely new group at that position. their offense will be really good though (although losing holmes hurts).

losing holmes is going to hurt real bad but Gonzo should be able to fill in but no way will h equal the same production and threat as holmes did...Ginn is really going to have to sharpen his game for the next season because he will be fighting through double teams

 

[dr. freeze]

Don't forget OU next year

Lots of youth and with AP back they might make a run IF Vince goes pro

 

[ThrowinPicks]

WVU - National Champions 2006

 

[Hokie Fan]

Va Tech loses just about no one next year
Orr will do great for Humes at RB
Jimmy W is replaceable like Deangelo and Prileou was before him
I am not sure if WVU is on the Schedule but if they are its in Blacks burg
A trip to BC and Miami is on the docket but winnable

Oh yeah .. how bout that extra game that Big Ten teams and Pac ten teams dont even play...
Makes it hard for a "Big" conference to win
More of a reason Texas had a great season

 

[blgstocks]

You know whats funny though is that when the rankings come out itwill be something like
1. Ohio St.
2. Tennessee
3. Auburn
4. LSU
5. Georgia
6. Florida
7. USC
8. VATECH (National champion)


I cant believe how every year they find a way to rank half of the SEC in the top 15 EVERY YEAR

Vatech gets the shaft every year as well, being placed in the 10 - 25 range as well

 

[Sportsaholic]

Sleepers..................Fla. St & Penn St

 

[DIRTY Diapers]

You know whats funny though is that when the rankings come out itwill be something like
1. Ohio St.
2. Tennessee
3. Auburn
4. LSU
5. Georgia
6. Florida
7. USC
8. VATECH (National champion)


I cant believe how every year they find a way to rank half of the SEC in the top 15 EVERY YEAR

Vatech gets the shaft every year as well, being placed in the 10 - 25 range as well

If you think ND wont be ranked in the top 8 next you're insane.