National Championship Contenders '07

[EvilVodka]

Here's a list of some of the teams that will be in the hunt for the National Championship, and some expectations based on my highly biased and subjective opinion

USC
What I like: Its USC....Its Pete Carroll with another loaded team oozing talent
What I don't like: lack of experience at skill positions, and the schedule

LSU
What I like: Flynn at QB, a strong D
What I don't like: LSU needs a power runner, and how will Gary Crowton do as the new O Coordinator

Texas
What I like: Colt McCoy & Jamall Charles, and the Big XII schedule
What I don't like: how the secondary played last year, and the loss of Gene Chizec at D Coordinator

Louisville
What I like: Brohm at QB, nice easy Big East schedule
What I don't like: new head coach, traveling to Morgantown on a Thursday night

West Virginia
What I like: White & Slaton are back and should put up lots of points
What I don't like: Will the D ever show up?

Michigan
What I like: All the offensive fire power returning
What I don't like: loss of key players on defense, Michigan's inability to win big games as of late

[TommyTrojan]

Here's a list of some of the teams that will be in the hunt for the National Championship, and some expectations based on my highly biased and subjective opinion

USC
What I like: Its USC....Its Pete Carroll with another loaded team oozing talent
What I don't like: lack of experience at skill positions, and the schedule

LSU
What I like: Flynn at QB, a strong D
What I don't like: LSU needs a power runner, and how will Gary Crowton do as the new O Coordinator

Texas
What I like: Colt McCoy & Jamall Charles, and the Big XII schedule
What I don't like: how the secondary played last year, and the loss of Gene Chizec at D Coordinator

Louisville
What I like: Brohm at QB, nice easy Big East schedule
What I don't like: new head coach, traveling to Morgantown on a Thursday night

West Virginia
What I like: White & Slaton are back and should put up lots of points
What I don't like: Will the D ever show up?

Michigan
What I like: All the offensive fire power returning
What I don't like: loss of key players on defense, Michigan's inability to win big games as of late

Top 3 are USC, Texas, and LSU (probably in tha order for me)

USC and LSU should be awesome on D, and Texas on O. UL, WVU are safe picks because they don't face a lot of other quality MNC oppenents, save for each other(Rutgers is better than most give them credit for, but USC, LSU, or UT good - I doubt it). I don't like Michigan at all. I think they're a predictable team(offensively) and they can always, ALWAYS, be exploited in the secondary.

I think OU and tOSU will be in there....they almost always are.

[sc69er]

But if I was betting my $$$ I would bet on LSU making it to the MNC game and Texas facing them. LSU has by far the easiest schedule. Most good teams that lose do in conference on the road. LSU faces MSU, KTY, Ala, and Ole Miss on the road in conference, all other games are at home--a Duck soup schedule. Texas has it almost as easy they play at Iowa st, Baylor, Okla St, and A&m on the road in conference. The have the Red River Shoot out in Dallas which is worse than anything that LSU has. USC has it a little tougher they play at Wash, Ore, Cal, and ASU in addition to Nebraska and Notre Dame on the road. If you are a betting man bet LSU vs Texas. If USC makes it that will be a great achievement.

[kocurt]

USC- what you said

Georgia - They have LSU's number and are loaded this year.
What I dont like- losses on the D and inexperience.

Oklahoma
What I like- Tons of talent, top secondary, a backfield with 3 remarkable backs, and a balanced schedule with good sos and winnability.
What I dont like- No experience at QB. Not a good record with officials in close games. 0-3 when matched vs officials.

WVU- what you said

Cal- Pac-10 champions if they beat USC
Can they beat Tennessee?

Ohio State- What I like- underrated already. They will win the Big 10 again by crushing a predictable and unimaginative Michigan.

[aufan59]

I'd put my money on USC in the title game. USC has by far the easiest schedule of the teams mentioned. Not even one really great team, a bunch of mediocre/bad teams.

USC breezes through a schedule with a couple close games that they slept walk through scoring 4 TDs in the third quarter to put the game away against quality PAC-10 defense. Injury free two hand touch football and questionable computer rankings put them in the BCS title game before the season starts.

Of course Cal and ND will be 'high quality wins'. Cal whose only claim to fame are their games against USC with there being only one recent win. ND was overrated last year when they had an offense, they will be horrible this year.

Hopefully Oregon will have to actually beat Michigan to get credit for a win instead of getting a nice SOS boost for the conference while losing.

[Blue Hen]

..only from AUfan's little world of fantasy..............USC having the easiest schedule among the contenders.

Hey, would you like to make a wager on the final computer SOS rankings for 2007 ? I'm still waiting for your list of all the legendary hard hitting ex SEC LBs and DBs that have been enshrined in Canton.

[aufan59]

..only from AUfan's little world of fantasy..............USC having the easiest schedule among the contenders.

Hey, would you like to make a wager on the final computer SOS rankings for 2007 ? I'm still waiting for your list of all the legendary hard hitting ex SEC LBs and DBs that have been enshrined in Canton.

None of the current computer polls take into account HOF player when rating conferences. Until they do, none of them are valid.

[Blue Hen]

HUH ????

[aufan59]

HUH ????
Your focus on HOF players leads me to believe that it is an important stat that must be included in any valid computer poll.

[Blue Hen]

You're still losing me there, Aufan.

I asked about HOF quality players only because of your constant claims about the SEC being so much more physical, hard hitting, and tougher defensely than everybody else. If this is true, than there should a bunch of great legendary defensive players coming out of this great 74 year brutal defensive defensive of the SEC.....and those kind of players are found enshrined in Canton. Certainly the toughest defensive conference of all time should have produced more of these guys than a panzy, two hand touch, league like the P10...right ?
So just list ,for us, all these legendary SEC LBs and DBs...good enough for the HOF. ....and show us that there are 10x more defensive players in Canton from SEC schools than from P10 schools.
The SEC has produced some HOF quality DLmen.

[Blue Hen]

For CF's 'true' National Championships I think Appy State has a legitimate chance to 3-peat and without knowing anything about graduation losses or anything else, I'd still always favor Mt Union.

[aufan59]

You're still losing me there, Aufan.

I asked about HOF quality players only because of your constant claims about the SEC being so much more physical, hard hitting, and tougher defensely than everybody else. If this is true, than there should a bunch of great legendary defensive players coming out of this great 74 year brutal defensive defensive of the SEC.....and those kind of players are found enshrined in Canton. Certainly the toughest defensive conference of all time should have produced more of these guys than a panzy, two hand touch, league like the P10...right ?
So just list ,for us, all these legendary SEC LBs and DBs...good enough for the HOF. ....and show us that there are 10x more defensive players in Canton from SEC schools than from P10 schools.
The SEC has produced some HOF quality DLmen.

They aren't directly related so it proves nothing.

[Hubbs]

This isnt a NFL board hen. There are a lot of Hall of Fame college SEC defensive players.

[Hubbs]

But if I was betting my $$$ I would bet on LSU making it to the MNC game and Texas facing them. LSU has by far the easiest schedule. Most good teams that lose do in conference on the road. LSU faces MSU, KTY, Ala, and Ole Miss on the road in conference, all other games are at home--a Duck soup schedule. Texas has it almost as easy they play at Iowa st, Baylor, Okla St, and A&m on the road in conference. The have the Red River Shoot out in Dallas which is worse than anything that LSU has. USC has it a little tougher they play at Wash, Ore, Cal, and ASU in addition to Nebraska and Notre Dame on the road. If you are a betting man bet LSU vs Texas. If USC makes it that will be a great achievement.


LSU will lose to much hated bammer. I honestly think Saban doesnt care about any other game, including the Iron Bowl in which Auburn will dominate once again this year. Kentucky is no push over in Lexington with a future first day draft pick playing QB and a mini reggie bush in the backfield in Rapheal Little. Kentucky is going bowling and will have a huge say in who wins the east. MSU and Ole Miss will have bad years and Orgeron and Croom will be unemployed come december. Orgeron is a joke. He can recruit but cant coach to save his life. Players love him though. With Auburn, UGA, Florida, and Arkansas visiting LSU I dont see them in the title game at all. Talent wise they dominate the sec but experience wise they have to replace the #1 draft pick Russell, their 2 best and most reliable recievers Bowe and Davis, Their best D-Lineman, and their qb on defense the #6 overall pick Laron Landry. They also play VT the second week. LSU doesnt get there. Nobody does from the sec this year unless every team has a loss then its just about guaranteed the SEC gets in.

[Blue Hen]

A truly overwhelmingly hard hitting toughest defense conference should at leat ( in 74 years) be able to claim a single HOF quality DB or a single HOF quality LB.............don't you think ? Just one single guy !!??

Truth is, the wimpy 'two hand touch' league that doesn't play defense and has two fewer teams and has suited up thousands less players over the years than the overhyped SEC......yep, the non hitting P10 has produced almost twice as many defensive FB legends as the SEC.

Also AUfan,
Please offer statistical evidence that the hitting in the SEC is so much more brutal than anyplace else resulting in disproportunately higher injury rates. Second request from me to prove this claim. If you can't provide pertinent facts regarding injuries , then I suggest you use an asterisk on your SEC fantasy posts and claims designating them as 'personal' perceptions or opinions.

I would be surprised if the injury rate in the SEC was significantly higher than the injury rate in the Patriot league

[Blue Hen]

Only 4 total at the highest level....including zero DBs and zero LBs. That's kind of puny representation, isn't it ?.........way behind the other major conferences. It sure doesn't mesh with the 'tough defensive' imagery and perceptions thrown around.

Anyway Hubbs, you very well know that if the SEC was proficient at producing defensive FB legends , the SEC types would be constantly boasting about its HOF representation.

[EvilVodka]

Only 4 total at the highest level....including zero DBs and zero LBs. That's kind of puny representation, isn't it ?.........way behind the other major conferences. It sure doesn't mesh with the 'tough defensive' imagery and perceptions thrown around.

Anyway Hubbs, you very well know that if the SEC was proficient at producing defensive FB legends , the SEC types would be constantly boasting about its HOF representation.

Cmon Hen, there are plenty of other threads for this...lets keep this thread solely about National Championship contenders

[Blue Hen]

Fair enough.............but I think the the SEC gang is secretly shocked to learn of this factual trend. :-)

[Ma_Gric]

The winner of the Penn State/Michigan game will have a VERY solid chance at getting to the national championship game. Other than OSU and Wisconsin (whom Michigan plays before OSU), I don't see anyone on their respective schedules who will have a legitimate shot at defeating them.

I like Penn State's talent on defense, including some quality newcomers on the DL. Morelli should improve remarkably from last year, with his entire stable of receivers returning.

Michigan's formidable offense should steamroll through the majority of its opponents, as it returns most of its starters from last season. Defense may be a concern, but they'll plug in their losses with blue-chippers from recent classes.

The SEC is tough to call this year. LSU appears to have the best shot considering its favorable home schedule. Flynn should be ready to fire on all cylynders after sitting behind the gifted Jamarcus Russell all of these years (sans '05 Peach Bowl in which he showed some promise).

Tennessee may be a darkhorse candidate for the national title game. 4th year starter Erik Ainge should have another stellar year under the tutelage of offensive mastermind David Cutcliffe. A win in Florida could set the Vols up nicely for a big run. Other than a trip to Alabama on the third Saturday in October, their schedule shapes up well. Possibly a UT vs. LSU SEC Title game to determine who goes to New Orleans?

Of course everyone has USC in the mix for the national title. The loss of Jarrett and Smith will be more detrimental than many may think. Although SC constantly lures in top notch talent, replacing two clutch receivers won't be a simple task. I can't envision this Trojan squad running the gauntlet unblemished. Nebraska is a very likely upset, Notre Dame will have gelled by the time they meet in mid-October, and trips to Eugene and Berkley could very well end up as losses. Right now, I'll say they're Rose Bowl bound.

[FSUNOLESGUY]

The winner of the Penn State/Michigan game will have a VERY solid chance at getting to the national championship game. Other than OSU and Wisconsin (whom Michigan plays before OSU), I don't see anyone on their respective schedules who will have a legitimate shot at defeating them.

I like Penn State's talent on defense, including some quality newcomers on the DL. Morelli should improve remarkably from last year, with his entire stable of receivers returning.

Michigan's formidable offense should steamroll through the majority of its opponents, as it returns most of its starters from last season. Defense may be a concern, but they'll plug in their losses with blue-chippers from recent classes.

The SEC is tough to call this year. LSU appears to have the best shot considering its favorable home schedule. Flynn should be ready to fire on all cylynders after sitting behind the gifted Jamarcus Russell all of these years (sans '05 Peach Bowl in which he showed some promise).

Tennessee may be a darkhorse candidate for the national title game. 4th year starter Erik Ainge should have another stellar year under the tutelage of offensive mastermind David Cutcliffe. A win in Florida could set the Vols up nicely for a big run. Other than a trip to Alabama on the third Saturday in October, their schedule shapes up well. Possibly a UT vs. LSU SEC Title game to determine who goes to New Orleans?

Of course everyone has USC in the mix for the national title. The loss of Jarrett and Smith will be more detrimental than many may think. Although SC constantly lures in top notch talent, replacing two clutch receivers won't be a simple task. I can't envision this Trojan squad running the gauntlet unblemished. Nebraska is a very likely upset, Notre Dame will have gelled by the time they meet in mid-October, and trips to Eugene and Berkley could very well end up as losses. Right now, I'll say they're Rose Bowl bound.

I agree with almost everything there minus the Vols. I really like their defense even though they got ran over last yr. It wont happen this yr, but there problem this yr will be their Passing offense. Who is gonna be there go-to guy? Lucas Taylor, Chris Brown, or how about my sleeper for that team: Former 'Nole Kenny O'Neal w/ his 4.35 speed. But still, I think there are 3-5 games where they can lose especially at home vs UGA early on. Before that they go to Gainesville where they always play tough, but another close loss will be expected from myself. Sure, there a sleeper to go to New Orleans, but they are gonna have to take it one game at a time, which they have not done well for a few years now.

LSU is the king of the league this upcoming year, but has to prove it on the field against one of the bes D's in the nation when they play VT early on. It is a night game in Baton Rouge, so there should be the slightest edge right there. I agree with some other posts that LSU and Texas looks like it should be them, but besides those two, I really like USC & Michigan just as much almost. I think Michigan's defense will surprise everybody in the nation as their production should be almost as good as last yr's IMO. USC's sked is brutal early and late on. If they get by the boys in Lincoln, they could get caught up w/ the Irish, Oregon or a very good Cal team. I think those 4 are the clear leaders, but the way everybody is thinkings is that USC is gonna win it all, which I am not jumping on board for. I think Texas and or LSU is looking very good to get there since both of their skeds are fairly easy. USC/Michigan will battle almost as if the first one to go down is out for the NC. If Adrian Arrington plays for Michigan (I heard he is expected to play just not early on due to his supension) then they are capable of becoming an offensive juggernut b/c we all know there the best at grinding out teams on the ground. Add in future first rder Super Mario and a upcoming 1st rder in Henne under center and they should be clicking on all cylinders by the third week vs the Irish. Plus, doesn't good 'ol Llyod finally deserve to win the big one?

[GatorGrad]

My top five MNC Contenders, in no particular order:

LSU (SEC Champ)

USC (PAC 10 Champ)

Texas (Big 12 Champ)

Michigan (Big Ten Champ)

West Virginia (Big East Champ)

How great would it be for BCS haters if all five of those schools went unbeaten? It would be twice as bad as the 2004 mess we had. As someone who would like to see a playoff, I always root for "BCS Chaos."

[Blue Hen]

Anybody who would desire that big time CF become a championship sport must pull for BCS chaos.

[FSUNOLESGUY]

[QUOTE=GatorGrad;3688]My top five MNC Contenders, in no particular order:

LSU (SEC Champ)

USC (PAC 10 Champ)

Texas (Big 12 Champ)

Michigan (Big Ten Champ)

West Virginia (Big East Champ)

I think it is for another topic of debate but since you used I should say that on warchant everybody was talking about what MNC stands for. According to wikipedia it stands for Mystical Nat'l Championship since there is no undisputed Champ. Very interesting since I never really knew that or cared enough to find out what it meant until recent, ha. Anyways that another topic for later in the summer.

That would be great but I only see three of those teams going undefeated. I think Texas has a great and maybe the best shot besides WV, but I'm not so sure this is Texas's year. I think Michigan and LSU or USC will go 13/12-0 and either Texas or West Virginia will also run the table (more likely the Mountaineers) I could see Texas losing to OU b/c I think it goes down to the wire this yr and if they do get past the Sooners, I can see them tripping in the finale in College Station. I would not count out Nebraska in the Big 12 CCG either b/c I think their entire defense will be really good. Add in Keller on offense with every player back and they should go from 9-5 to at least 11-3 possibly. If they Zachary Bowman back healthy in time for USC, anybody see the Trojans getting upended early in the season before all of their wideouts start clicking? Weird thing is if Nebraska were to win that game, I would say they would go 11-1 then heading into the Alamo Dome vs the Big South winner.

[GatorGrad]

MNC = Mythical National Championship

(there is no true NCAA National Championship in college football - only different polls, computers, etc that name their own "National Champs.")

Ironic considering the name of this website!

[FSUNOLESGUY]

Ya I realized I butchered that even when I saw it front of me ha. Ya,

MNC= Mythical National Championship

It is funny of how this website is what it is. Anyways, forget this thread, check out my new one w/ your sleepers for 2007.