I don't like predictions.
They only go one of two ways -- You looking good, or you looking bad.
That being said, I've had some success in the prediction department.
I called Mavs in 6, Rangers to the World Series (Although my series prediction didn't prove true), and even last week in College Station. As the clock hit 0:00 for halftime, Audrey Ryon, my "date", turned to me and said "Is that worry I see on your face?"
I smirked, and answered "Nope, just wait until the second half."
Due to a pact with Ms. Ryon, that is the last I will be speaking of the OSU vs. A&M game, but to clear things up, I will simply say we won. Go Pokes.
But back to business, this will be my first set of College Football predictions for the season. It will include a few big games left on the schedules, conference championships, and the national championship.
Big Games
Alabama over LSU.
I think Alabama is "The team" this year. LSU has played incredible on the road early this season, but Tuscaloosa is a completely different story. Last year, Auburn went in and dug out of a big hole to come out on top, and I don't see the Tide letting that happen again. The problem with LSU is that the quarterback situation. They're questioning Jarrett Lee, who won three tough road games for them, and with the return of Jordan Jefferson, I can see Les Miles trying to make that situation work and having it blow up in his face in the end. Especially in Tuscaloosa.
Wisconsin over Michigan State & Ohio State 10/22 & 10/29
Wisconsin has to go to the horseshoe, but I don't see much resistance this year. The media will hype this game up just because it's "THE Ohio State", but Wisconsin's true test will be the week before against Michigan State. This will be a tradition game, but I see Wisconsin finishing off the MSU/OSU two step wonderfully, especially due to neither of the opponents
Oregon over Stanford 11/12
Stanford doesn't have the firepower Oregon does. It'll be a track meet that Oregon wins easily, especially after having so many "tune up" games before.
Oklahoma State over Oklahoma 12/3
Call me a homer, I don't care. I genuinely think this is the year. OSU is loaded on offense, and the defense shows up when it needs to. Look at the second half of the A&M game, the Cowboys defense completely took Cyrus Gray and Christian Michael out of the game. They also forced Tannehill, widely regarded as a conservative passer, into a handful of turnovers. That amount of defense will be enough for OU, who looks good when they line up against Ball State and beat them by 80 points, but struggled against true opponents such as Florida State and Missouri. And don't forget, Florida State was in Tallahassee... Don't forget where Bedlam is. I'll give you a hint, it rhymes with Stillwater.
Conference Champions
Big 10- Wisconsin
Big East- Pittsburgh
ACC- Clemson or Florida State
Big 12- Oklahoma State
SEC- Alabama
Pac 12- Oregon
Who cares- Boise State
National Championship
Alabama over Wisconsin
This is a tough one. I think these are the two best teams in America because they've built their football team the right way. I was just talking with Harrison, and I said that a football team is only as good as their offensive and defensive lines, and that is the case here. Alabama has some of the most athletic lineman in the nation, and Wisconsin's offensive line may be as good as their Green Bay Packer neighbors. I've gotta give the edge to Bama though, their defense will get it done, as well as the diversity they face all year in the SEC.
My Top 10 Teams in the Nation (Not taking into account the time of their losses, one of the biggest flaws of the BCS and the main reason OK State wasn't in a BCS bowl last year)
1- Alabama
2- LSU
3- Wisconsin
4- Oklahoma State
5- Oklahoma
6- Clemson (I'm a believer!)
7- Oregon
8- Texas A&M (Losses are due to coaching, not to talent level)
9- Stanford
10- Georgia Tech (They're the truth this year)
That's all I've got. I'll revisit this in a few weeks when all of my top 10 teams have lost and the college football landscape is completely different.
But then again, isn't that why we love this sport?
Go Pokes and Go Rangers, that's all folks.
Showing posts with label Oregon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oregon. Show all posts
Monday, October 3, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
2011 Heisman Watch List
Hello all! I hope you all have had a great summer full of air conditioning and shade. It's been awhile since I've written on here, and I'm sorry for that. I've taken the summer off to recharge my batteries so that I'm fresh when I begin covering the Oklahoma State football team this fall.
But worry not, as I am back! A lot of things happened while I was gone. First off, congratulations to MY World Champion Dallas Mavericks, I loved watching every minute and losing my voice after every game. Congratulations to Rory McIlroy, one of my favorite golfers, for his tournament wins as of late. And finally, congratulations to the United States Women National Team for their incredible World Cup run. Last summer soccer captured my attention, and now I love watching the sport, men or women. Unfortunately they ran out of time, but I look forward to seeing them in the future... And Alex Morgan.
But enough of that, let's focus on the future. Although the NFL Lockout is looming, we are promised one thing; College football will be there.
That being said, here is MY list of Heisman hopefuls this year.
Marcus Lattimore - South Carolina
I am convinced this could be THE GUY this year. Not only does he have a good offensive line, but he also has the one thing that will allow him to dominate- Distraction. Not a distraction for him, but for the defense. Lining up at receiver for the Gamecocks is Alshon Jeffery, one of the best wideouts in the nation. You cannot be in two places at one time, and Lattimore will thrive in that situation.
Andrew Luck - Stanford
You simply cannot leave the best pro prospect off the list. Luck is the most complete player in the NCAA, but sometimes that is not enough for a Heisman. He has weapons around him for a good year, as well as a good offensive line. Unfortunately, the Heisman committee only seems to look at numbers and highlight reels, so that may not be enough for Luck to hoist the trophy.
LaMichael James - Oregon
Last year's runner-up is looking to have another incredible year, and why shouldn't he? Oregon's dead spring offense wears defenses out, and makes them susceptible to giving up the big play. Darron Thomas (QB) will come back even better than last year, which makes the pass even more dangerous, and he also has the wheels to add QB Scrambling to the mix. James, the pass, and Thomas' running are enough to give the running back some elbow room, and that elbow room will be enough to give him another spectacular year, and another nail-biter Heisman presentation.
Landry Jones - Oklahoma
I saw first hand what Jones can do to defense last year at the Bedlam game. As much as I'd hate to see another Heisman go to Norman, I fear Jones has the tools to make that a reality. A great receiving corps, and a backfield that Stoops always seems to stock with talent will mean another year of big numbers from Jones. Let's just hope it isn't enough for the Heisman. I'm tired of driving through Norman on my way home and seeing the huge Sam Bradford blow-up in front of the car dealership, I can't take two of them.
Justin Blackmon - Oklahoma State
You knew it was coming, don't act surprised. Blackmon dominated every secondary he faced last year, not only with great hands and great routes, but also by simply being a better athlete than the man lining up across from him. He out-jumped, out-bodied, and simply out-played his opponents and he'll come into this year with the same quarterback and in even better shape. Look for another huge year, and another Biletnikoff conversation.
DARK HORSE: Geno Smith - West Virginia
The Mountaineer had a great season last year, and with Dana Holgerson's offense that lit up Big 12 defenses in 2010 in place, Smith's arm will do some major damage. But not only that but unlike Brandon Weeden at Oklahoma State, Holgerson's previous quarterback, Smith can run. That dual threat will be big for the Mountaineers this year, and will enter Smith into the conversation very quickly, just as it did for past winners like Cam Newton and Tim Tebow.
That's all I've got. My next post will be sometime after I attend Oklahoma State Football Media Day on August 6th. Gear up for another great College Football year, as this one will be as exciting as seasons in the past.
Go Pokes, Rangers, Cowboys, and MAVS!
But worry not, as I am back! A lot of things happened while I was gone. First off, congratulations to MY World Champion Dallas Mavericks, I loved watching every minute and losing my voice after every game. Congratulations to Rory McIlroy, one of my favorite golfers, for his tournament wins as of late. And finally, congratulations to the United States Women National Team for their incredible World Cup run. Last summer soccer captured my attention, and now I love watching the sport, men or women. Unfortunately they ran out of time, but I look forward to seeing them in the future... And Alex Morgan.
But enough of that, let's focus on the future. Although the NFL Lockout is looming, we are promised one thing; College football will be there.
That being said, here is MY list of Heisman hopefuls this year.
Marcus Lattimore - South Carolina
I am convinced this could be THE GUY this year. Not only does he have a good offensive line, but he also has the one thing that will allow him to dominate- Distraction. Not a distraction for him, but for the defense. Lining up at receiver for the Gamecocks is Alshon Jeffery, one of the best wideouts in the nation. You cannot be in two places at one time, and Lattimore will thrive in that situation.
Andrew Luck - Stanford
You simply cannot leave the best pro prospect off the list. Luck is the most complete player in the NCAA, but sometimes that is not enough for a Heisman. He has weapons around him for a good year, as well as a good offensive line. Unfortunately, the Heisman committee only seems to look at numbers and highlight reels, so that may not be enough for Luck to hoist the trophy.
LaMichael James - Oregon
Last year's runner-up is looking to have another incredible year, and why shouldn't he? Oregon's dead spring offense wears defenses out, and makes them susceptible to giving up the big play. Darron Thomas (QB) will come back even better than last year, which makes the pass even more dangerous, and he also has the wheels to add QB Scrambling to the mix. James, the pass, and Thomas' running are enough to give the running back some elbow room, and that elbow room will be enough to give him another spectacular year, and another nail-biter Heisman presentation.
Landry Jones - Oklahoma
I saw first hand what Jones can do to defense last year at the Bedlam game. As much as I'd hate to see another Heisman go to Norman, I fear Jones has the tools to make that a reality. A great receiving corps, and a backfield that Stoops always seems to stock with talent will mean another year of big numbers from Jones. Let's just hope it isn't enough for the Heisman. I'm tired of driving through Norman on my way home and seeing the huge Sam Bradford blow-up in front of the car dealership, I can't take two of them.
Justin Blackmon - Oklahoma State
You knew it was coming, don't act surprised. Blackmon dominated every secondary he faced last year, not only with great hands and great routes, but also by simply being a better athlete than the man lining up across from him. He out-jumped, out-bodied, and simply out-played his opponents and he'll come into this year with the same quarterback and in even better shape. Look for another huge year, and another Biletnikoff conversation.
DARK HORSE: Geno Smith - West Virginia
The Mountaineer had a great season last year, and with Dana Holgerson's offense that lit up Big 12 defenses in 2010 in place, Smith's arm will do some major damage. But not only that but unlike Brandon Weeden at Oklahoma State, Holgerson's previous quarterback, Smith can run. That dual threat will be big for the Mountaineers this year, and will enter Smith into the conversation very quickly, just as it did for past winners like Cam Newton and Tim Tebow.
That's all I've got. My next post will be sometime after I attend Oklahoma State Football Media Day on August 6th. Gear up for another great College Football year, as this one will be as exciting as seasons in the past.
Go Pokes, Rangers, Cowboys, and MAVS!
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