State #20 in Coach's Poll...
- Thread starter msudawg05
- Start date
When we hired Dan Mullen that going into his third season we'd be ranked higher than Florida, Georgia, Texas, and Penn State?
Auburn is a courtesy ranking in my opinion. I don't see them hanging around there for long at all. I'm betting that only two teams at most out of the East end up in the final rankings.
On the other hand Arkansas should be ranked higer. I would have ranked them higer than Texas A&M. </p>
We should both win our first games and if we don't choke against Auburn, because we really should win that game, it makes it look like a better win than it really is. <div>
</div><div>I really think they are going to struggle this year. I think Malzahn will find a way to put up some points, but rented mule aside, I believe not having Fairley on that DL, combined with the other losses, is going to turn that defense into swiss cheese.</div>
</div><div>I really think they are going to struggle this year. I think Malzahn will find a way to put up some points, but rented mule aside, I believe not having Fairley on that DL, combined with the other losses, is going to turn that defense into swiss cheese.</div>
It takes two weeks for the numbers to even spit anything decent out, but it will take until the first week in October before anything that resembles an actual rating. I'm very number heavy, no opinion.
But my opinion on this year is simple:
Oklahoma has the easiest road in a long time to go from start to finish #1. The Big 12 is reeling. Toughest game is going to be A&M. Alabama is in my opinion the best team in the country, but has what, seven preseason top 25 teams on the schedule? That trip to Penn State is going to be tough. If they get through that, they still have to go to Florida, Arkansas, and gasp, Mississippi State in tough road games. LSU in Tuscaloosa isn't going to be fun, either.
My guess is that this year will break the streak of SEC national championships. The SEC is just too tough. I actually wouldn't be surprised if no one gets through the SEC this year with less than two losses. Its that tough.
If I were to pick two the preseason top five teams that had the best chance to play for the title - I'd pick Oklahoma and Florida State. Not because they are the best two teams, but they have the best chance to beat the system.
Extend it to the top 10, and teams like Stanford stick out - they could run the table. Boise is in the best position they have ever been in, the problem is their team isn't as good, and I wouldn't be surprised if they started 2-3. I think Georgia, Nevada and Fresno can beat them early.
Wisconsin in the Big Ten is interesting as well.
Team out of nowhere that could play for the national title? I'll go with another Big Ten team - Michigan State. Their schedule is beautiful for a run. One decent game in September (at Notre Dame), A tougher October with Ohio State, Wisconsin and Nebraska. If they get out of October with even one loss, they end their season with the bottom of the Big Ten and could quietly take advantage of some tough late season games for other contenders.
But my opinion on this year is simple:
Oklahoma has the easiest road in a long time to go from start to finish #1. The Big 12 is reeling. Toughest game is going to be A&M. Alabama is in my opinion the best team in the country, but has what, seven preseason top 25 teams on the schedule? That trip to Penn State is going to be tough. If they get through that, they still have to go to Florida, Arkansas, and gasp, Mississippi State in tough road games. LSU in Tuscaloosa isn't going to be fun, either.
My guess is that this year will break the streak of SEC national championships. The SEC is just too tough. I actually wouldn't be surprised if no one gets through the SEC this year with less than two losses. Its that tough.
If I were to pick two the preseason top five teams that had the best chance to play for the title - I'd pick Oklahoma and Florida State. Not because they are the best two teams, but they have the best chance to beat the system.
Extend it to the top 10, and teams like Stanford stick out - they could run the table. Boise is in the best position they have ever been in, the problem is their team isn't as good, and I wouldn't be surprised if they started 2-3. I think Georgia, Nevada and Fresno can beat them early.
Wisconsin in the Big Ten is interesting as well.
Team out of nowhere that could play for the national title? I'll go with another Big Ten team - Michigan State. Their schedule is beautiful for a run. One decent game in September (at Notre Dame), A tougher October with Ohio State, Wisconsin and Nebraska. If they get out of October with even one loss, they end their season with the bottom of the Big Ten and could quietly take advantage of some tough late season games for other contenders.
Ohio State has... somebody at quarterback, a new coach, and a fanbase (not to mention most of the team) that is still pining for their poor, mistreated former head coach. Notre Dame just got their best player back, and now Brian Kelly gets to spew more generalizations about "honor" and "integrity" that will be even more laughable than normal.<div>Auburn's issues have been discussed here already</div><div>I know very little about Mich. State, other than what I skimmed over in Phil Steele.</div>
Because it is serving an NCAA-imposed bowl ban, Southern California
is not eligible to receive votes this season under AFCA policy.
is not eligible to receive votes this season under AFCA policy.