Favorites to win NC 2007-'08

[FSUNOLESGUY]

USC is without doubt the favorite to win the NC it seems for this season, which is only 5 months away. Eveyrbody seems to be on the bandwagon for West Virginia. It was nto until recently that I noticed they are playing 2 games in a matter of only 5 days. They play at home vs Marshall early in the season and then have to travel to College Park, MD. Now I realized Maryland has to do the same thing as they go form Florida Int'l on the road, but does anyone see the Mountaineers tripping on the 13th of September? This one game could be the one that gives WVA trouble. Last yr's game in Morgantown was not that close, but MD did not have any problems putting points on the board. If W.V. wants to ever have a chance to win a NC they better be able to stop the run a little better since they are losing the majority of their DT's. I think WV should be better then they were last season but just wondering what everbody thinks is their team to watch this upcoming season to win it all. I'd say these five catch my eye with their talent and their schedule:

1. USC- LOADED
2. Michigan- have the schedule
3. LSU- ssssh some forgot how loaded they are and the sked looks good
4. Louisville- My early early sleeper team, they have the talent, just need to step it up the D. November 8th mark it down, another Thursday nite
5. W.V.- Umm... their backfield ain't too bad

[copycat]

USC - Okay, true.
Michigan - Good luck stopping the pass this year. Last two games say a lot.
LSU - unproven QB. One good game doesn't make him a good QB. Reggie Ball had games where he looked good too!
Louisville - New Coach, new system, almost impossible to win them all in the first year.
WVU - good chance with the schedule, but I think someone out there will outscore them. Maybe Maryland like you said, Maybe Rutgers this time around. Then again one loss may be okay like Florida last year.

I'm trying to come up with who can be #2 behind USC... Every team I come up with a lot of doubts.

[Marc Sharaf]

USC is without doubt the favorite to win the NC it seems for this season, which is only 5 months away. Eveyrbody seems to be on the bandwagon for West Virginia. It was nto until recently that I noticed they are playing 2 games in a matter of only 5 days. They play at home vs Marshall early in the season and then have to travel to College Park, MD. Now I realized Maryland has to do the same thing as they go form Florida Int'l on the road, but does anyone see the Mountaineers tripping on the 13th of September? This one game could be the one that gives WVA trouble. Last yr's game in Morgantown was not that close, but MD did not have any problems putting points on the board. If W.V. wants to ever have a chance to win a NC they better be able to stop the run a little better since they are losing the majority of their DT's. I think WV should be better then they were last season but just wondering what everbody thinks is their team to watch this upcoming season to win it all. I'd say these five catch my eye with their talent and their schedule:

1. USC- LOADED
2. Michigan- have the schedule
3. LSU- ssssh some forgot how loaded they are and the sked looks good
4. Louisville- My early early sleeper team, they have the talent, just need to step it up the D. November 8th mark it down, another Thursday nite
5. W.V.- Umm... their backfield ain't too bad

LSU's schedule looks good?!?! Why? B/C the hard games are at home? Beating the likes of VT, UF, and Auburn + an SEC Title game is anything but easy. Remember: With college football it only takes one defeat to eliminate a team, so dodging quality teams throughout the season yields a tremendous advantage. LSU is talented, no doubt, but I see some pitfalls for a team that seems to take pride in proving people RIGHT.

SC is the clear favorite.

I think you'll see Texas, Miami, and PSU challenge as well, but I don't see any favorite other than SC. I don't see Michigan surviving that early part of their schedule.

[FSUNOLESGUY]

Their pass D wont be as nearly as bad as it was at the end of last yr since they will not play any teams near the talent that USC and TOSU had. The Big Ten isn't soft imo, but it will not be as good as it was last yr(if it even was good besides the big 3). There schedule is a joke for the first two months of the season. Wisconsin and Ohio St. are the only teams who have a chance at competing w/ Big Blue. Not that Iowa is going to be great or anything, but due to the BIG Ten sked, they will not play Iowa this yr. Well what Michigan has going for them is one of the finest Offensive teams in the entire country. They MAY run the table and not find a team with superior talent until they play USC again in the NC. They have to replace some studs on D, though they should be fine.

[FSUNOLESGUY]

LSU's schedule looks good?!?! Why? B/C the hard games are at home? Beating the likes of VT, UF, and Auburn + an SEC Title game is anything but easy. Remember: With college football it only takes one defeat to eliminate a team, so dodging quality teams throughout the season yields a tremendous advantage. LSU is talented, no doubt, but I see some pitfalls for a team that seems to take pride in proving people RIGHT.

SC is the clear favorite.

I think you'll see Texas, Miami, and PSU challenge as well, but I don't see any favorite other than SC. I don't see Michigan surviving that early part of their schedule.

So do you have Michigan losing to Applachian State or Eastern Michigan then? They have almost no chance of losing more then 1 game in their first 10 games. PSU will give um a game, but besides that I think they have as good of a chance to go undefeated as any team in the nation other then USC. I mean unless you trying to say that nobody is going to be really good then USC, ok. I like those 3 you mentioned, but you forgot my 'Noles and your Gators. LSU btw has one of the loudest stadiums in the country and is by far one of the toughest to play in. I'm not saying it is like #1 in the "Swamp".

Their road games are not difficult by any means (Bama will be only game where there not double digit fav) and their home schedule is not IMPOSSIBLE. I know there playing BCS caliber teams in AU, UF, and VT but come on there not gonna lose all of those games. They should win 2 of those 3 home games and possibly go 4-0 on the road to give them 10-11 wins before the SECCG. Their QB is inexperienced but their D should be tremendous again, so they should be fine overall. Plus when they play VaTch it is not like any team in that game has an upperhand. Home teams usually win those type of ballgames early on in the season.

[H.I.]

Louisville - New Coach, new system, almost impossible to win them all in the first year.

don't tell that to chris petersen and his boise state broncos.

[Akahikea]

Chris Peterson wasn't running a new system. He was the OC...it's been his system all along really.

[H.I.]

Chris Peterson wasn't running a new system. He was the OC...it's been his system all along really.

good point. the kiss of death to any program is the one where the new coach talks about only implementing 40% of the offense in the first year etc. it is funny that usually they're more successful in their 1st year with the "so-called" 40% of the offense than they are 3 years down the road with 100% of it implemented.

[Marc Sharaf]

So do you have Michigan losing to Applachian State or Eastern Michigan then? They have almost no chance of losing more then 1 game in their first 10 games. PSU will give um a game, but besides that I think they have as good of a chance to go undefeated as any team in the nation other then USC. I mean unless you trying to say that nobody is going to be really good then USC, ok. I like those 3 you mentioned, but you forgot my 'Noles and your Gators. LSU btw has one of the loudest stadiums in the country and is by far one of the toughest to play in. I'm not saying it is like #1 in the "Swamp".

Their road games are not difficult by any means (Bama will be only game where there not double digit fav) and their home schedule is not IMPOSSIBLE. I know there playing BCS caliber teams in AU, UF, and VT but come on there not gonna lose all of those games. They should win 2 of those 3 home games and possibly go 4-0 on the road to give them 10-11 wins before the SECCG. Their QB is inexperienced but their D should be tremendous again, so they should be fine overall. Plus when they play VaTch it is not like any team in that game has an upperhand. Home teams usually win those type of ballgames early on in the season.

FSU may be better, but I don't expect their record to reflect that. It looks like a very hard schedule for them to navigate. They're not good enough at this point to expect them to be a title contender against a good schedule. Of course, I think Miami is a title contender against a pretty hard schedule....we'll see.

[FSUNOLESGUY]

FSU may be better, but I don't expect their record to reflect that. It looks like a very hard schedule for them to navigate. They're not good enough at this point to expect them to be a title contender against a good schedule. Of course, I think Miami is a title contender against a pretty hard schedule....we'll see.

Yeah I would say Miami's schedule is easier then FSU's but it is not like FSU lost its talent all of a sudden due to another Junior opting to draft. Every year since about 2002 or so, people just do not talk about FSU. Same goes for Miami as of recent, but some people need to realize that both of these teams offensives mainly speaking of FSU's, is going to be much better. Their offense has had the talent they just have not produced. Now, I don't think Jimbo is GOD, but I think he is a huge improvement. In fact rivals.com has Jimbo as the #1 OC in the nation lol. I look for Xavier Lee to show off his talent as he will finally put all of the pieces together. Although he has been a bust for 3 years now, he does have the talent to be a JaMarcus Russell type of player. I'm comparing to him since Jimbo coached him last yr, but I really think Lee can somewhat put the team on his back like Vince Young did a few years ago. FSU has a more difficult schedule then last season, but with the new coaches and everything I would not be shocked by any means if they win 9+ games and go the ACCCG.

[EvilVodka]

Yeah I would say Miami's schedule is easier then FSU's but it is not like FSU lost its talent all of a sudden due to another Junior opting to draft. Every year since about 2002 or so, people just do not talk about FSU. Same goes for Miami as of recent, but some people need to realize that both of these teams offensives mainly speaking of FSU's, is going to be much better. Their offense has had the talent they just have not produced. Now, I don't think Jimbo is GOD, but I think he is a huge improvement. In fact rivals.com has Jimbo as the #1 OC in the nation lol. I look for Xavier Lee to show off his talent as he will finally put all of the pieces together. Although he has been a bust for 3 years now, he does have the talent to be a JaMarcus Russell type of player. I'm comparing to him since Jimbo coached him last yr, but I really think Lee can somewhat put the team on his back like Vince Young did a few years ago. FSU has a more difficult schedule then last season, but with the new coaches and everything I would not be shocked by any means if they win 9+ games and go the ACCCG.

I agree about Xavier Lee, its time to see what he can do...Jimbo Fisher likes these types of quarterbacks...he had Rohan Davey, Marcus Randall, and Jamarcus Russell at LSU

I'm excited about FSU football this coming season...we've got Colorado and Alabama on the slate, and its time for us to take back the Atlantic Division...we've also got the usual dates with Florida (time to give Tebow some pain), Miami, an opening date with Clemson, and a roadtrip to Blacksburg, which I don't have good vibes about

FSU will be better, but the schedule's tougher...we won't be playing for the national championship, but it should be a fun ride

[EvilVodka]

I like USC, but the road games on their schedule are going to be hard...

And you gotta go with West Virginia...Mr. Rodriguez stayed at home, and you've got White and Slaton for their senior seasons??

I won't be convinced about Michigan till they beat a top team

who else? Texas is going to be good

any darkhorses? how bout Wisconsin?

[FSUNOLESGUY]

I actually like Wisconsin also, they are really going to push for the Big Ten title and a BCS berth. I really like Michigan's offense this yr though. If Manningham reuturns to his old form then they may be unstoppable. Their schedule is the weakest I have seen for them in a really long time. They should have no problems imo going 10-0 before the trip Camp Randall and the Buckeyes at home. I like Wisconsin/UCLA to possibly play each other in the Rose Bowl this yr, obvously a really really early call on my part for that, but that is what is fun about it. I also think Hawaii has the chance to do what Boise State did last yr except the problem is that I haven't heard their 2 non-con's are. So I think they should own their conference even vs Boise (Fri nite at home 11/23 on ESPN I believe) If they are going to have a similar run in with any Big Ten/Pac 10 teams then they will prob fall atleast once. I just think Hawaii has a shot at getting to 11-12 wins (they play 13 plus 1 for bowl) I give FSU a shot though as good as anyteam in the nation. I just have the feeling that our boy Xavier Lee is gonna step up huge this yr, I don't know just a gut feeling. I mean its an understatement to say he has a good arm. (75 yds while on knees) Greg Carr is a superstar and De'Cody Fagg can remind me so much of Dwayne Bowe at times (Has the case of the droppsies at times, only negative thing though). I have not heard any really recent updates on our starting TE though. I know our OL will be an improvement this time around b/c I have only been fooled like 3 yrs in a row now lol. I think if our D stays healthy (knock on wood) then they will return to their 'ol stifling, Mickey spitting ways. One somehwat bold prediction that I don't mind saying is that I think they will finally finish the season in the top 10. I've said this for a few years but I really think they are overdue. I am not afraid of the scheduke early on at all, so they just have to take one game at a time. I think the real game that I may be afraid of losing is the Thurs nite one at Wake. If we were to lose that one, then we could fall apart a little. As far as you being afraid of Vatch, I mean who isn't?? Their Defense is ferocious, it is like Mike Tyson in the same ring or field as you. I think thats the only true game I will admit to us being in trouble for. That and the "Swamp" should be two games that'll be tough, but all the others we should be in.

[kocurt]

Until the NCAA grows a set and shuts down the cheating factory at USC, you gotta make them the NC favorites every year.

LSU looks good, but the QB situation is shaky. Same thing at OU. I think this might be the BullDawgs year if they can get by Okie State.

I think the favorite outside California is Texas. They are solid and loaded all around. They will be tough to beat if Colt stays healthy.

[Marc Sharaf]

Until the NCAA grows a set and shuts down the cheating factory at USC, you gotta make them the NC favorites every year.

LSU looks good, but the QB situation is shaky. Same thing at OU. I think this might be the BullDawgs year if they can get by Okie State.

I think the favorite outside California is Texas. They are solid and loaded all around. They will be tough to beat if Colt stays healthy.

5 Str8 Pac Ten titles, 5 Str8 BCS appearances!!! Only 1 defeat in those 5

Only getting stronger too

[Hail to the Victors Valiant]

1. LSU
2. USC
3. WVU
4. Louisville
5. Michigan

[Blue Hen]

You don't see your Gators as a MNC contender ???. I sure do.

[Marc Sharaf]

There's enough talent, but word is right now the DL is not progressing. That was one of the reasons UF won it all last year, great DL play.

We'll see how serious of a contender the Gators are when UT plays at UF. Get some of the frosh DT's to play like veterans, and it could be another great season.

[Hail to the Victors Valiant]

You don't see your Gators as a MNC contender ???. I sure do, wrote Blue Hen.

I see about 12 nat'l title contenders including Florida. However, I think Florida will have a year like USC did last year and then re-emerge as a serious nat'l title contender in 2008. I always have an eye on Tenn and Nebr in the preseason as the talent is usually present and the tradition and expectations are prevalent. I don't see Penn State as #1 and Michigan usually finds a way to lose a game or two, but Rutgers might be a possibility.

[EvilVodka]

You don't see your Gators as a MNC contender ???. I sure do.

The gators lost too many people...they'll be good, but a slip in key players like that will cost you an extra loss or two in the SEC

[EvilVodka]

LSU looks good, but the QB situation is shaky. Same thing at OU. I think this might be the BullDawgs year if they can get by Okie State.

I'm not worried about Matt Flynn at all...he looked pretty damn good in the Peach Bowl win over Miami in '05...

you could be right about Georgia though, they've hung around the top of the SEC for awhile now, its about time Mark Richt has THE year and puts the Bulldawgs in the National Championship...IMO, they're somewhat of a darkhorse this year