Next Year's National Championship
- Thread starter Jayhawk_Thor
- Start date
Notre Dame
Florida State (weren't they a very young team)--(will they be good next year and even better the next)
Ohio St
Florida ( good for years to come --didn't they just land the #1 quaterback around)
Tennessee -
Texas (of course)
USC
VT
Bama - best defense,,,,, terrible offense
What about AZ,,,,, is Stoops turning that program around...
LSU
DOes Minnesota still have the #1 offense or did they lose some...
Florida State (weren't they a very young team)--(will they be good next year and even better the next)
Ohio St
Florida ( good for years to come --didn't they just land the #1 quaterback around)
Tennessee -
Texas (of course)
USC
VT
Bama - best defense,,,,, terrible offense
What about AZ,,,,, is Stoops turning that program around...
LSU
DOes Minnesota still have the #1 offense or did they lose some...
- Sep 13, 2005
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West Virginia was awesome but I think a very underrated aspect was their Offensive line. There are times where White and Slaton never got touched. Let's see how many of the lineman are back.
dalygolfer20 said:
Saw TIBO play against Hoover the first game of the year last year and he is not all he was hyped up to be. Mitch Mustang is 10 times a better QB and that kid going to South Carolina IMO is the best in the country, but I cant think of his name.
from a pac-10 guy.....liked both ucla (50-1) and oregon(40-1) in august and wager on ucla.....was close with both but didnt really have a realistic chance based on ucla's defense
for next year.....i dont like asu (shocker).....their defense will still be bad with their offense still being good (another version of ucla this year?).....BUT they are an up and down team....1 year fairly good ...the following season playing arizona to be bowl elgible.
someone mentioned cal (ptguard).....totally agree.....they will have and excellent defense and two great rb's...if tedford can find a qb (and he will because his qb got injured last spring and should come back)...they should challenge sc for the pac-10 title
arizona is an interesting team next year....not sure if they are ready for THAT type of leap, but they have the early schedule to jump HIGH in the polls if they win (byu. @lsu, usc, all within the first 4 games?) and will have a great defense and will actually have a qb and an offense......dont see them as a ncaa title contender, but maybe a longshot pac-10 title contender
remember....with the 12 game schedule, all the pac-10 teams play each other (9 games) and have 3 non conf games.
should be an interesting year and might finally see sc lose their crown with a new qb!
outside of the pac-10...some have mentioned nd.....love nd but dont think they are close defensively and i think they lose their entire o-line
osu is interesting but lose alot on defense
texas is the easy choice with vy....without him, no chance....in fact without him...ou becomes a major threat (the big-12 is weak and they always seem to place a team in the title game)
va tech is another interesting team as is auburn, fla st, wvu,
for next year.....i dont like asu (shocker).....their defense will still be bad with their offense still being good (another version of ucla this year?).....BUT they are an up and down team....1 year fairly good ...the following season playing arizona to be bowl elgible.
someone mentioned cal (ptguard).....totally agree.....they will have and excellent defense and two great rb's...if tedford can find a qb (and he will because his qb got injured last spring and should come back)...they should challenge sc for the pac-10 title
arizona is an interesting team next year....not sure if they are ready for THAT type of leap, but they have the early schedule to jump HIGH in the polls if they win (byu. @lsu, usc, all within the first 4 games?) and will have a great defense and will actually have a qb and an offense......dont see them as a ncaa title contender, but maybe a longshot pac-10 title contender
remember....with the 12 game schedule, all the pac-10 teams play each other (9 games) and have 3 non conf games.
should be an interesting year and might finally see sc lose their crown with a new qb!
outside of the pac-10...some have mentioned nd.....love nd but dont think they are close defensively and i think they lose their entire o-line
osu is interesting but lose alot on defense
texas is the easy choice with vy....without him, no chance....in fact without him...ou becomes a major threat (the big-12 is weak and they always seem to place a team in the title game)
va tech is another interesting team as is auburn, fla st, wvu,
My belief is Texas wont win it without VY but you still underestimate them. Next year they have Ohio State at home and OU in Dallas and not another game that will even put a remote scare in them, no matter who plays quarterback. At absolute worst they lose 2 games. My guess is they lose to OSU and beat OU, win Big 12, and it is a matter if 2 unbeatens or not as they will have lost so early in the year.
gjn23 said:
i'll take credit for mentioning cal, if only because (per johnnyb) im not real aware of whats going on out west :mj07: :mj07:
as for texas, i'll disagree with sun and say that texas beats ohio state but loses to oklahoma next year. not sure who else beats the horns though. texas tech game would be on the road im presuming, but still not sure about the raiders.
Raiders will not be as good next year. They start from scratch at QB. They do every year, but this time it wont be with a senior. Texas has it down on stopping them and Texas can just run over them offensively.
If you are right about OSU (and you know them well) I will put a little on UT after Young goes pro on an over reactive price. OU will be better, especially with a healthy Peterson, but still has a long way to go. Bomar just isnt a championship QB and isnt going to be. But other than Peter Gardere freshman dont win the UT-OU game.
If you are right about OSU (and you know them well) I will put a little on UT after Young goes pro on an over reactive price. OU will be better, especially with a healthy Peterson, but still has a long way to go. Bomar just isnt a championship QB and isnt going to be. But other than Peter Gardere freshman dont win the UT-OU game.
i saw an espn 2006 top 25 poll this afternoon and they had ohio state #2. just goes to show how fickle the public and media are. osu made me a shitload of money this year, including the fiesta bowl, but that doesnt mean they should be ranked #2 next season. not only do they lose all those linebackers but youboty and whitner are thinking about leaving for the draft as well, which would leave a void in the secondary as well. osu offense will be excellent on paper, but its awfully presumptuous to think that osu will be national championship caliber after losing all those pieces on D. bottom line is their odds will not be representative of their true chances next year. public hype will keep them in the +400 or +500 range and thats too low.
ohio state's best chance to win the national title was this year, when they had texas at home and some incredible talent on defense.
they certainly were national championship caliber at the end of the season and were playing as well as anyone, usc and texas included, but they just didnt get it done in the final seconds against texas and psu
ohio state's best chance to win the national title was this year, when they had texas at home and some incredible talent on defense.
they certainly were national championship caliber at the end of the season and were playing as well as anyone, usc and texas included, but they just didnt get it done in the final seconds against texas and psu
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Next year may be setting up for a real controversy. I can see a team like West Virginia going unbeaten playing nobody, and there not being an unbeaten from a "major" conference. Preseason polls will be all over the map. ND and OSU will be the chic picks, and neither will be there at the end. Folks will like LSU as well, forgetting that this year every tough game was at home - meaning they have everbody on the road next year.
Sun Tzu said:
WVU is the chickpick. They beat Georgia and now everyone has a hard on for them next season. If they werent in the Big East I would doubt them even playing a BCS game next season. As Florida State found out though before VT and Miami came to the ACC, sometimes you dont have to do much to get a BCS berth...
Pat Forde's Preseason top 25 for 2006
1. Texas Longhorns
Why: The monkey is off their back and lies dead at the Longhorns' feet. They know how to win championships -- and if Vince Young comes back to join his deep cast of skill-position support, they'll win another one.
Why not: Four major losses on defense, and there's no guarantee that the perfect chemistry from this year will carry over.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Why: Did you see Troy Smith, Ted Ginn and Antonio Pittman carve up Notre Dame in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl?
Why not: The Buckeyes lose all three members of a great linebacking crew, plus two key offensive linemen. And they have to play in Austin next fall.
3. West Virginia Mountaineers
Why: One of the surprise teams of 2005 should be better in '06. Quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton were amazingly productive as freshmen, and they have plenty of other offensive weapons to rely on.
Why not: The secondary must be rebuilt, and we all remember how the Mountaineers underachieved in 2004 with top 10 expectations.
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Why: Brady Quinn, Jeff Samardzija, Anthony Fasano and Darius Walker should all return along with another strong line, so the offense will torch scoreboards again. The defense will improve. And there's a strong recruiting class coming in. Charlie Weis is just getting started.
Why not: The Irish will be breaking in some new linebackers against a schedule that includes six 2005 bowl squads.
5. USC Trojans
Why: If you've been paying attention the past three years, you know why. Regardless of the expected NFL exodus, there is plenty of talent ready to step forward at Troy.
Why not: All good things come to an end -- especially when the best and most experienced players in recent school history are gone.
6. LSU Tigers
Why: Tons of talent at the skill positions and the defensive backfield, and tons of momentum from that flattening of Miami in the Peach Bowl.
Why not: Some key losses on both lines. Settling on a quarterback could be troublesome -- and Les Miles can ask Phil Fulmer about what a quarterback controversy can do to a team's chemistry.
7. Florida Gators
Why: Chris Leak should continue to progress in Urban Meyer's offense, and Meyer should have a better handle on what will work in the SEC. Lots of other talent to be found on both sides of the ball, and another very good recruiting class is on the way.
Why not: If Leak looked skittish behind a veteran offensive line, what will he look like behind a rebuilt one in '06?
8. Oklahoma Sooners
Why: Adrian Peterson should return to Heisman contender form, Rhett Bomar should take a major step forward at quarterback, and the defense should be up to usual Bob Stoops standards.
Why not: A shaky offensive line in 2005 only gets younger in 2006. And although Bomar impressed with his toughness in the Holiday Bowl, he's still got a long way to go before mastering his position.
9. Miami Hurricanes
Why: Kyle Wright will be better, and in Greg Olsen and Ryan Moore, he'll have a couple of quality targets to throw to. The Hurricanes' secondary should be excellent again.
Why not: Concerns exist regarding the leadership of the program, from the head coach to the upperclassmen, after the disaster in the Peach Bowl. Keep an eye on how many players declare early for the draft, too.
10. Oregon Ducks
Why: Start with a sensational offensive line and add plenty of skill talent and very good coaching.
Why not: Defense will miss Haloti Ngata up front, and quarterbacks Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf will have to prove they're big-time leaders and playmakers.
11. Michigan Wolverines
Why: If Mike Hart stays healthy and Chad Henne continues to progress, the Wolverines will still score a lot of points. And the defense will have a lot of experience at linebacker and in the secondary.
Why not: When was the last time this program lived up to expectations?
12. Auburn Tigers
Why: QB Brandon Cox and RB Kenny Irons are two great places to start on offense, and the secondary should be among the best units in the country.
Why not: The Tigers have considerable turnover at receiver, plus a few holes on the defensive line and at linebacker.
13. Penn State Nittany Lions
Why: The skill-position speed that helped turn around the program will be back. If linebacker Paul Posluszny returns and quarterback Anthony Morelli can even approximate Michael Robinson's leadership skills, the Nittany Lions will not regress very far from their 2004 form.
Why not: Take Tamba Hali, Alan Zemaitis and Robinson out of the equation and you've lost a lot. And Morelli doesn't have Robinson's mobility, which will change the scope of the offense.
14. Louisville Cardinals
Why: If Brian Brohm returns healthy from knee surgery, he and running back Michael Bush will both be strong All-America candidates. There is speed and talent on defense and at wide receiver that should only improve by next year.
Why not: There are some key offensive line losses, and star rush end Elvis Dumervil has left the building.
15. Cal Bears
Why: Fantastic running backs and receivers and an experienced defense team up with Jeff Tedford's coaching.
Why not: Still not sure the Bears have a big-time quarterback, and they lose a couple of very good offensive linemen.
16. Virginia Tech Hokies
Why: The defense should again be very fast and very good, and Marcus Vick should continue to mature and improve.
Why not: Until the Hokies prove they can properly finish off a season, and until Vick gets the punk element out of his game, there is reason to doubt this team.
17. Georgia Bulldogs
Why: Mark Richt has elevated his program to autopilot contender status. The Bulldogs will have one of the best linebacking corps in the nation.
Why not: This team could struggle offensively. Quarterback will be a question, as will the line.
18. Florida State Seminoles
Why: Gritty showings in the ACC title game and Orange Bowl show that pride and talent remain in Tallahassee.
Why not: Early entries could hurt at several key positions, and questions remain about FSU's offensive direction.
19. Alabama Crimson Tide
Why: The Crimson Tide is just about all the way back from probation. Mike Shula has answered all questions about his readiness for this job.
Why not: No Brodie Croyle, no DeMeco Ryans, and no cushy five-game home stand to start the season.
20. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Why: Another kingpin program proving that its rebound is well underway. The Cornhuskers ended 2005 with tremendous momentum and seem to have a firm grasp on Bill Callahan's passing offense.
Why not: Some holes to fill on the offensive line, and still some credibility issues for anyone from the Big 12 North.
21. UCLA Bruins
Why: Maurice Drew could be a Heisman candidate, and Ben Olson should have the chops to fill Drew Olson's big shoes at QB.
Why not: Still waiting for definitive proof that the Bruins are serious about playing defense.
22. TCU Horned Frogs
Why: Running back Aaron Brown could be a breakout star as a sophomore, and there is very good young talent at linebacker as well. Gary Patterson has done a remarkable job adding to the program foundation laid by Dennis Franchione.
Why not: Hard to replicate 11-1 for a second straight season, especially given some of the close calls the Horned Frogs had.
23. Arizona State Sun Devils
Why: Pick a quarterback, Rudy Carpenter or Sam Keller, and the Sun Devils will again be powerful offensively. Some D-I transfers will help immediately on defense.
Why not: ASU has had a problem getting over the hump and becoming a legitimate national title contender, in part because of chronic defensive shortcomings. Will it be much better in '06?
24. Iowa Hawkeyes
Why: Drew Tate could be the best quarterback in the Big Ten, and he'll have 1,300-yard running back Albert Young alongside.
Why not: Linebackers Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge are finally gone, leaving a major void in the middle of the Hawkeyes' defense.
25. South Carolina Gamecocks
Why: Things should only get better offensively in year two under Steve Spurrier, especially with big-time wide receiver Sidney Rice back. The defense should be strong as well: the entire secondary returns, led by safety Ko Simpson.
Why not: There still is not great talent in Columbia, so depth will be an issue. Gamecocks also must find a replacement for punter/place-kicker Josh Brown.
1. Texas Longhorns
Why: The monkey is off their back and lies dead at the Longhorns' feet. They know how to win championships -- and if Vince Young comes back to join his deep cast of skill-position support, they'll win another one.
Why not: Four major losses on defense, and there's no guarantee that the perfect chemistry from this year will carry over.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
Why: Did you see Troy Smith, Ted Ginn and Antonio Pittman carve up Notre Dame in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl?
Why not: The Buckeyes lose all three members of a great linebacking crew, plus two key offensive linemen. And they have to play in Austin next fall.
3. West Virginia Mountaineers
Why: One of the surprise teams of 2005 should be better in '06. Quarterback Pat White and running back Steve Slaton were amazingly productive as freshmen, and they have plenty of other offensive weapons to rely on.
Why not: The secondary must be rebuilt, and we all remember how the Mountaineers underachieved in 2004 with top 10 expectations.
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Why: Brady Quinn, Jeff Samardzija, Anthony Fasano and Darius Walker should all return along with another strong line, so the offense will torch scoreboards again. The defense will improve. And there's a strong recruiting class coming in. Charlie Weis is just getting started.
Why not: The Irish will be breaking in some new linebackers against a schedule that includes six 2005 bowl squads.
5. USC Trojans
Why: If you've been paying attention the past three years, you know why. Regardless of the expected NFL exodus, there is plenty of talent ready to step forward at Troy.
Why not: All good things come to an end -- especially when the best and most experienced players in recent school history are gone.
6. LSU Tigers
Why: Tons of talent at the skill positions and the defensive backfield, and tons of momentum from that flattening of Miami in the Peach Bowl.
Why not: Some key losses on both lines. Settling on a quarterback could be troublesome -- and Les Miles can ask Phil Fulmer about what a quarterback controversy can do to a team's chemistry.
7. Florida Gators
Why: Chris Leak should continue to progress in Urban Meyer's offense, and Meyer should have a better handle on what will work in the SEC. Lots of other talent to be found on both sides of the ball, and another very good recruiting class is on the way.
Why not: If Leak looked skittish behind a veteran offensive line, what will he look like behind a rebuilt one in '06?
8. Oklahoma Sooners
Why: Adrian Peterson should return to Heisman contender form, Rhett Bomar should take a major step forward at quarterback, and the defense should be up to usual Bob Stoops standards.
Why not: A shaky offensive line in 2005 only gets younger in 2006. And although Bomar impressed with his toughness in the Holiday Bowl, he's still got a long way to go before mastering his position.
9. Miami Hurricanes
Why: Kyle Wright will be better, and in Greg Olsen and Ryan Moore, he'll have a couple of quality targets to throw to. The Hurricanes' secondary should be excellent again.
Why not: Concerns exist regarding the leadership of the program, from the head coach to the upperclassmen, after the disaster in the Peach Bowl. Keep an eye on how many players declare early for the draft, too.
10. Oregon Ducks
Why: Start with a sensational offensive line and add plenty of skill talent and very good coaching.
Why not: Defense will miss Haloti Ngata up front, and quarterbacks Dennis Dixon and Brady Leaf will have to prove they're big-time leaders and playmakers.
11. Michigan Wolverines
Why: If Mike Hart stays healthy and Chad Henne continues to progress, the Wolverines will still score a lot of points. And the defense will have a lot of experience at linebacker and in the secondary.
Why not: When was the last time this program lived up to expectations?
12. Auburn Tigers
Why: QB Brandon Cox and RB Kenny Irons are two great places to start on offense, and the secondary should be among the best units in the country.
Why not: The Tigers have considerable turnover at receiver, plus a few holes on the defensive line and at linebacker.
13. Penn State Nittany Lions
Why: The skill-position speed that helped turn around the program will be back. If linebacker Paul Posluszny returns and quarterback Anthony Morelli can even approximate Michael Robinson's leadership skills, the Nittany Lions will not regress very far from their 2004 form.
Why not: Take Tamba Hali, Alan Zemaitis and Robinson out of the equation and you've lost a lot. And Morelli doesn't have Robinson's mobility, which will change the scope of the offense.
14. Louisville Cardinals
Why: If Brian Brohm returns healthy from knee surgery, he and running back Michael Bush will both be strong All-America candidates. There is speed and talent on defense and at wide receiver that should only improve by next year.
Why not: There are some key offensive line losses, and star rush end Elvis Dumervil has left the building.
15. Cal Bears
Why: Fantastic running backs and receivers and an experienced defense team up with Jeff Tedford's coaching.
Why not: Still not sure the Bears have a big-time quarterback, and they lose a couple of very good offensive linemen.
16. Virginia Tech Hokies
Why: The defense should again be very fast and very good, and Marcus Vick should continue to mature and improve.
Why not: Until the Hokies prove they can properly finish off a season, and until Vick gets the punk element out of his game, there is reason to doubt this team.
17. Georgia Bulldogs
Why: Mark Richt has elevated his program to autopilot contender status. The Bulldogs will have one of the best linebacking corps in the nation.
Why not: This team could struggle offensively. Quarterback will be a question, as will the line.
18. Florida State Seminoles
Why: Gritty showings in the ACC title game and Orange Bowl show that pride and talent remain in Tallahassee.
Why not: Early entries could hurt at several key positions, and questions remain about FSU's offensive direction.
19. Alabama Crimson Tide
Why: The Crimson Tide is just about all the way back from probation. Mike Shula has answered all questions about his readiness for this job.
Why not: No Brodie Croyle, no DeMeco Ryans, and no cushy five-game home stand to start the season.
20. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Why: Another kingpin program proving that its rebound is well underway. The Cornhuskers ended 2005 with tremendous momentum and seem to have a firm grasp on Bill Callahan's passing offense.
Why not: Some holes to fill on the offensive line, and still some credibility issues for anyone from the Big 12 North.
21. UCLA Bruins
Why: Maurice Drew could be a Heisman candidate, and Ben Olson should have the chops to fill Drew Olson's big shoes at QB.
Why not: Still waiting for definitive proof that the Bruins are serious about playing defense.
22. TCU Horned Frogs
Why: Running back Aaron Brown could be a breakout star as a sophomore, and there is very good young talent at linebacker as well. Gary Patterson has done a remarkable job adding to the program foundation laid by Dennis Franchione.
Why not: Hard to replicate 11-1 for a second straight season, especially given some of the close calls the Horned Frogs had.
23. Arizona State Sun Devils
Why: Pick a quarterback, Rudy Carpenter or Sam Keller, and the Sun Devils will again be powerful offensively. Some D-I transfers will help immediately on defense.
Why not: ASU has had a problem getting over the hump and becoming a legitimate national title contender, in part because of chronic defensive shortcomings. Will it be much better in '06?
24. Iowa Hawkeyes
Why: Drew Tate could be the best quarterback in the Big Ten, and he'll have 1,300-yard running back Albert Young alongside.
Why not: Linebackers Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge are finally gone, leaving a major void in the middle of the Hawkeyes' defense.
25. South Carolina Gamecocks
Why: Things should only get better offensively in year two under Steve Spurrier, especially with big-time wide receiver Sidney Rice back. The defense should be strong as well: the entire secondary returns, led by safety Ko Simpson.
Why not: There still is not great talent in Columbia, so depth will be an issue. Gamecocks also must find a replacement for punter/place-kicker Josh Brown.
If Calhoun comes back the Badgers should be tough. Defense was young this year, need to replace WR, and 1 or 2 spots on the O-Line.
I would ave said Auburn has a shot, but the bowl game was very disappointing. I think it may help them in the long run to take no game for granted. We also get Georgia and LSU at home, big help.
I like
Auburn vs. Ohio St.
I like
Auburn vs. Ohio St.
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My liking West Virginia has nothing to do with their win over Georgia. They have a great coach, a ton of players coming back (including 2 freshman in the backfield who will be much better) and play a lousy schedule.
What is there not to like?
What is there not to like?
I doubt we see two undefeated teams next year. We were very fortunate the last 2 years that the clearcut best 2 teams met each time. I know I'm going to hear an earful for sayin that from the
Auburn faithful but who cares, thats how i feel, and obviously how the people who MATTER felt too.
Because of the fact that I think we'll see a couple of one-loss teams playing for it, ND definately has a shot at it. This was a rare year when their schedule looked IMPOSSIBLE before the season, but ended up not being that bad because teams like Pitt and Purdue had MISERABLE seasons.
Next year the Irish have, what LOOKS to be close to the nation's toughest again with:
Michigan
USC
UCLA
Penn State
Georgia Tech
Wildcards include Stanford, Michigan State, Purdue, and UNC who could also be tough, but likely wont start the season ranked. Going undefeated with that schedule is gonna be damn near impossible, I will say that.
As opposed to this year though, it looks like the meat of the schedule will be home games. PSU, Michigan, and UCLA are home games while the Irish go to GT and USC.
Auburn faithful but who cares, thats how i feel, and obviously how the people who MATTER felt too.
Because of the fact that I think we'll see a couple of one-loss teams playing for it, ND definately has a shot at it. This was a rare year when their schedule looked IMPOSSIBLE before the season, but ended up not being that bad because teams like Pitt and Purdue had MISERABLE seasons.
Next year the Irish have, what LOOKS to be close to the nation's toughest again with:
Michigan
USC
UCLA
Penn State
Georgia Tech
Wildcards include Stanford, Michigan State, Purdue, and UNC who could also be tough, but likely wont start the season ranked. Going undefeated with that schedule is gonna be damn near impossible, I will say that.
As opposed to this year though, it looks like the meat of the schedule will be home games. PSU, Michigan, and UCLA are home games while the Irish go to GT and USC.
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Dereck.....
Dereck.....
you can honestly sit there and say Oklahoma was clear cut more deserving that auburn last year?? If that is honestly how you see it, please, send me some of what you are smoking!!!!
I am not sitting here and saying Auburn was more deserving, just saying they were as deserving as USC, Oklahoma.
Give me a friggin break......
Dereck.....
you can honestly sit there and say Oklahoma was clear cut more deserving that auburn last year?? If that is honestly how you see it, please, send me some of what you are smoking!!!!
I am not sitting here and saying Auburn was more deserving, just saying they were as deserving as USC, Oklahoma.
Give me a friggin break......
ND has a very tough schedule, USC has another tough schedule, VaTech has a tough schedule, and OSU has a tough schedule. It will be interesting to say the least
steve2881 said:
nothing we can change now. Media and the powers that be agree with me, thats why the game was played as it was. If you are still disgruntled, go write a novel about it
