AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2006 > June > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHit the beach with this Top 25
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We’re going to take a brief sabbatical in order to get our batteries recharged before the season. But before we go, we’ll leave you with our post-spring, pre-training camp Top 10. It is an unscientific collection of teams sure to make you question my judgment (and sanity) until we meet again in July. Enjoy.
1. Ohio State: Troy Smith and Ted Ginn give the Buckeyes the best one-two punch in college football. A Sept. 9 trip to Texas looms large.
2. Texas: The defending national champions lost a lot, but they’ve still got a lot. We’ll revisit this pick after Ohio State comes to Austin.
3. USC: Yeah, I know. Leinart’s gone. Bush’s gone. Controversy everywhere. Doesn’t matter. The Trojans have a lot of really good players.
4. West Virginia: The schedule is ridiculously easy. Win at Louisville and the Mountaineers can go 12-0.
5. Notre Dame: QB Brady Quinn will keep the Irish in the national championship hunt. This may be a tad high for Charlie Weis, so I’m willing to listen.
6. Oklahoma: RB Adrian Peterson is back and finally healthy. After last season’s 8-4 disappointment, the Sooners are ready to rumble again. They play Texas on Oct. 7 in Dallas.
7. Auburn: Surprised? Don’t be. Auburn will beat LSU on Sept. 16 and win the SEC West. Great offense. Underrated defense.
8. Miami: A guy who has won 53 games in five seasons isn’t supposed to be on the hot seat, but say hello to Larry Coker. There is a sense of urgency in Coral Gables.
9. Florida: The Gators play a brutal schedule but everybody will be on the same page in Year 2 of Urban Meyer.
10. Florida State: Drew Weatherford grew up as a quarterback this spring. Seminoles could repeat as ACC champs.
The best of the rest:
11. LSU: Three tough road games at Auburn, Florida and Tennessee.
12. Clemson: Can Will Proctor replace Charlie Whitehurst?
13. Georgia: Dawgs could repeat as SEC champs with good play at quarterback.
14. California: Tennessee is scared of playing these guys in their opener, and with good reason.
15. Iowa: Hawkeyes (7-5) underachieved last year; good QB in Drew Tate.
16. Oregon: Ducks host Oklahoma in potential upset.
17. Louisville: If QB Brian Brohm is healthy, Cardinals could win Big East.
18. Virginia Tech: If Hokies find a quarterback they’ll challenge Miami.
19. Michigan: Wolverines should be better; pressure on coach Lloyd Carr.
20. Nebraska: Huskers haven’t turned corner yet, but will take step forward.
21. Boston College: Never underestimate Tom O’Brien’s Eagles; still a lot of holes to fill.
22. Tennessee: Vols can win 8-9 games if the breaks go their way, unlike last season.
23. TCU: Frogs look to be the BCS gate crashers after going 11-1 last season.
24. Georgia Tech: Jackets have the tools for a pretty good year.
25. Penn State: Solid, but not great, without Michael Robinson.
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Comments
By david
June 2, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this
Tony, I don’t understand the love fest for Ohio State, didn’t they lose 9 starters from their defense? Strictly going by that, they should be down this year like lowly Georgia. Who according to every magazine, will be fielding a high school team this year. Listen AP, please pick the Dawgs 3rd in the SEC East again, I beg you.
By Cleve Hartley
June 2, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this
Tony, just what are you smoking? To leave the dawgs out of the top ten is unthinkable. The dawgs will be better than last year. This is the year the Gators taste defeat at the hands of the dawgs
By renegadedawg
June 2, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this
Tony, excellent prediction in regrads to West Virginia. We all saw their potential when they steamrolled Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, one of the most embarrassing moments in Georgia athletics. If Tennessee doesn’t turn it around this year, they may be headed for dangerous waters.
By Fearlessfootball.com
June 2, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this
well, all I know is the clock is ticking.. check out the college football countdown clock at http://www.fearlessfootball.com
And perhaps Tennessee will get the breaks when Kharma’s ugly hand is through dealing with Fulmer.
By Ft Worth Dawg
June 2, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this
“Jackets have the tools” — if we define tools to not include head coach, quarterback, running game, special teams, offensive and defensive lines then yeah, sure, we’re all in agreement on that.
By Falcon
June 2, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this
Steamrolled Georgia? Since when is 3 points getting steamrolled. Yes, they steamrolled through the first 20 minutes of the game but Georgia dominated the last 40…just wasn’t enough.
By Connie Lingous
June 2, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this
What is it about Ohio State? They lost 9 defensive starters, Tony. Was their second string that good last year?
By CollegeFootballFan
June 2, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this
Tony…I agree with most of your picks but I have to question several things. How is it you pick, UGA, who lost some solid talent on O and D to be top 15, yet a team that finished in the top 8 last year, Alabama, is not even in the top 25. Both are starting new QB’s, both have experienced (and hopefully better) OL’s and both had good depth on defense. Next, I can support the AU top 10 (even though I dont like it) but Tennessee in the top 25. I know you must have watched the wheels fall off that program last season. Do you really think that one new coach (Cutcliffe) can rememdy the entire team??
I cant wait for the season to start!!!
By Rocky Top Buzz
June 2, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this
2 comments:
1- Why do you always give GT the typicaly 23-25 ranking? Every year you put them in there? Yes, I know it’s the hometown team, but as a Jacket fan I’d rather you just leave them out. We all know we’re eaither going to be top 10 our outside of the top 25, that’s just how things will go, but I am excited about returning a senior quarterback, a junior all american wide receiver, and a dedicated offensive play caller.
2- Tennessee WILL be better. They didn’t lose last year because of the lack of talent (Note they weren’t blown out by anyone). They lost because of off the field issue’s. Cutcliff will make a big difference this year. If UT can beat Florida, Tennessee will be in the dome this December.
By 2N4YEARS
June 2, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this
Unbelievable!! Nearly Every year UGA doesn’t start in the top 10, only to finish there. I can maybe see Ohio St. & ND. Although I’d have TEX & USC in the top 10 they wouldn’t be 3rd or 4th. WVu will be good, but not really good. They won’t be overlooked by others as they were by UGA because of the Sugar Bowl. They’ll be knocked out of the top 10 in a matter of a few weeks. The strangest thing though is you having Miami rated in the top 10! I figured the AJC had smoking bans inside the building! Miami looked mediocre AT BEST last year! Losing to GaTech then getting waxed what 41-3 or something by LSU??! Not to mention Miami has a completely new coaching staff! Forget about Larry Coker’s’ record, Miami will have a tuff time this year. Then you have LSU out of the top 10?? Are you kidding?? They have loads of talent (don’t forget they’ve had some of THE BEST recruiting over the last 3-4 years) & have a National title (a REAL one I might add), have beaten Oklahoma & Miami as of lately. Then you have OU in the top 10. OU??? They couldn’t even beat TCU last year! Their running back is over-rated, they don’t have a QB, and they also seem to be reeling from assistant coach losses as of late. Maybe you should find a different job or something. Way off here…
By kph
June 2, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this
I agree for the most part with your picks, Georgia will have to earn thier way into the top 10 AND THEY WILL. I dont think USC should be in he top 10 due to them playing in the PAC 1 plus 9. Until they romp on a team out of thier confrence they shouldnt get the rankings they get every year. Anyone can win all thier confrence games if they are against a bunch of high school teams. Look what happens to them in non confrence games every year cant the pollsters see that or are they California dreaming? Georgia picked up a ton of great young talent I dont expect to see much of a dropoff this season. Hold on to your hats SEC fans it is going to be another great season in the most competitive confrence in NCAA football!!
By Eddie
June 2, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this
You guys love FSU and MIAMI!How can you have Miami ahead of LSU?LSU is going to be loaded again next year.Didnt they play in the last game of the year?LSU 40 the guys you love 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I really wish you guys would stop throwing FSU and Miami up there every year until they earn the respect again.
By uga_b
June 2, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this
Explain the UF pick with that schedule and their rinky dink offense.
By Dave Leffingwell
June 2, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this
Everybody seems to think that Ohio State shouldn’t be #1 because they lost 9 of their defensive starters. While that might be a concern to most problems, when was the last time Jim Tressell didn’t have an excellent defense?
By austindog
June 2, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this
Another poll, another undeserved high ranking for the Gators. Tony, the 90’s are over, Spurrier doesn’t coach there anymore!
By The Willster
June 2, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this
Tony Blowhard, Mister Georgia Tech asskisser. You dont have a damn clue dude. Picking Ohio State #1? They lost 9 starters last year. Everybody knows McNeese State should be #1!!! Nip-high football rules, Biatches!!!! WTF?
By FireDawg
June 2, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this
First of all, let me say that I am a UGA fan. It’s really difficult to know what to expect this year from the dawgs, so I guess I could see where a number 13 ranking could be justified. But there is absolutely no reason to rank FSU of Miami ahead of LSU, or UGA for that matter. People want to keep throwing FSU and Miami into mix year in and year out, simply because of their names. FSU hasn’t resembled anything close to a top ten team in several years, and Miami looked pathetic in their last few games last year. What makes them any better this year? LSU is loaded, and UGA has been in the top ten every year since 2002. They may not deserve a top ten ranking to start the season, but FSU and Miami damn sure don’t.
By Chuck
June 2, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this
Iowa? Nebraska? Tennessee? TCU? Georgia Tech??!! Have you even been paying attention? Is this poll for football or women’s basketball?
By Michael
June 2, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this
You are out in left field! The SEC knocks each other out of the national title hopes because most teams could beat Ohio State perhaps not Northwestern, Indiana, & Michigan State..oh I meant Kentucky. The resof the SEC needs to bet a banker like Auburn’s to pay their players.
By BILLYB
June 2, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this
You and Mark Bradley drinking the Red Kool-Aid? The Dawgs will lose to SC, TENN,FL and Auburn!
By kph
June 2, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this
BillyB, You must be a Tenneesee fan no one else would say something that stupid. Get ready for the dogs to stomp your butts again!!!!
By B. Thenet
June 2, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
Smith and Ginn aren’t even the best one-two punch in the Big Ten, let alone the country.
Take out the bowl game and Ginn had 600 yards and 3 TDs, and was the target media and fan criticism in Columbus for his awful season.
Looks like a down year for college football this year, and I think anyone in the Top 20 has a shot at the title.
By Scott
June 2, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this
People who question Ohio State’s defense have not seen who they have waiting. They are at a phase where they reload, instead of rebuilding. There have been many rumblings that this unit could be the fastest that they’ve ever had in Tressel’s era. Couple that with a defensive line that contains 2 potential All Americans, and that takes some of the sting out of the “But they lost 9 starters” chat. A lot will be settled in Austin.
By Captain
June 2, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this
I don’t see how you managed to leave Alabama out of the top 25. Every other reputable sports service that has released it’s 2006 top 25 has Alabama in it. Now I understand it’s just your opinion. But I find it odd that you are the only one without them there. I know Georgia has some weird affection for Auburn(Don’t know why). But don’t crap on Bama because of it.
By tom r.
June 2, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this
So nice to see Clemson ranked ahead of UGA. Been a long time coming!
By Spanky
June 2, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this
Collegefootballfan,…I’ll explain it to you! Yes, the dawgs lost some key players on offense, but recruited those positions and then some! On defense, the dawgs didn’t really lose that many!..as a matter of fact, there is a pool of depth at every position,..and I do mean every position! This is projected to be Georgia’s best defense since CMR has moved to Athens!…Don’t worry, you’ll see!
By Eddie
June 2, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this
Clemson ahead of Ga only in the polls not on the field.What has been Clemsons record on the field the last Few years theyve played them.
By tom r.
June 2, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this
were not worried about the past few meetings anymore Eddie. Were talking this upcoming season. Clemson has a better team this year, no doubt about it. Good luck against USC in your second game, you’ll need it.
By Eddie
June 2, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this
I’ll be pulling for you against USC.Im and SEC man except for Steve wouldnt pull for him against Russia!
By KPH
June 2, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this
It has been a long time coming since Clemson was ranked ahead of the DAWGS and its gonna be a long time gone after about 3 games into the season. Hell we forgot that they played football in South Carolina until that bastard Steve the visor tosser went over there.
By tom r.
June 2, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this
Clemson will still be ranked ahead of UGA at the end of the season. Hope we meet then, since UGA fans always think they have such a great team.
By SICEM
June 2, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this
Football in South Carolina? I still say the best players to come from there was the Marshall Tucker Band.
By ol' bawl coach
June 2, 2006 05:56 PM | Link to this
didn’t see us in there////GUESS GAMECOCKS WILL HAVE TO ‘SHOCK THE WORLD’
By Mike S.
June 2, 2006 06:14 PM | Link to this
Did I see a Clemson fan runnin his 6-8 win mouth? Incredible! Bama fans, ur record without Croyle earns you no ranking. Win without him and you’ll get there. As for the poll, Tony, its ok to let the 90’s go. UF, Miami, FSU are no longer top ten staples. Miami and FSU cant handle the new ACC, and UF will crumble under the their schedule this year. The FireUrban.com websites will be popular. hahahaha GO DAWGS!!!
By Jay
June 2, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this
I wasn’t embarassed by Dawgs performance in Sugar, I was proud.
By Andrew
June 2, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this
Clemson 6-8? Since when? Clemson was 8-4 last Season. Including a Bowl win.
By Jeff
June 2, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this
Tony, regardless of the beatdown WVU put on everyone’s beloved Dawgs, you still can’t resist taking a potshot at their schedule. Wasn’t that what all the Georgia fans said last year?
By bulldawgincarolina
June 2, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this
is the rumor true that uf is now known as a ‘basketball school’?…football prowess is a distant memory
By cgatlanta
June 2, 2006 07:28 PM | Link to this
The University of Florida sux!
And they’ll still beat Georgia.
By sj
June 2, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this
‘…Auburn will beat LSU on Sept. 16…’ I hope not. Watching Tuberville clap his hands inappropriately, smirk at the refs , and blame everyone but himself for a loss is an emotional pay-day.
By Noah Rules
June 2, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this
bulldawg we aren’t known as a basketball school. We are known as THE 2006 NCAA MENS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS. Stop making excuses for the pathetic basketball program at UGA. Oh and is there something wrong with hoops? Will be watching the Diesel tonight. Sorry about those Hawks. I also think Barnhardt has UF rated higher than the poodles in football. 14 out of 16. UGA is now a college baseball school. Enjoy.
By renegadedawg
June 2, 2006 07:54 PM | Link to this
If you were proud of the Georgia team that showed up at the Sugar Bowl this past year, your insane. In case you need a reminder, our defense looked like Rabun County’s 9th grade team. I love the Dawgs, but was completely embarrassed their performance. I would have been proud if our players would have “showed up” and annihilated Pat White and Slaton. I’m sorry, but I that left a big scar on me that has yet to heal.
By fsufan
June 2, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this
Why does everyone think that Ohio State’s offense is gonna look like the Colts this year. Where was the 1-2 punch against Penn State? Forget about the Fiesta last year because ND’s defense is pathetic. If Jeff Bowden learns how to turn the pages in his playbook FSU will earn back some respect this year. GO NOLES
By Brian, Sandy Springs
June 2, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this
I am never suprised at the lack of respect that the Big East Conference gets with the “experts”. West Virginia embarrassed Georgia last year in the Georgia Dome.
Louisville will beat WVU.
By jt
June 2, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this
Tony, the one that’s got me bumfuzzled is Cal. OK, did you notice that Cal was 8-4 last year, but that NONE of their regular season wins was against a team with a winning record (combined Won/Loss record of opponents was 18-60!!!)? Or that one of their losses was to 5-6 Oregon State? Guess that bowl win over unranked BYU impressed the socks off of you!
By Richard Cline
June 2, 2006 08:41 PM | Link to this
Penn State will beat ND and they just might beat the Buckeyes, too!
You’re a tool!
By hairparty
June 2, 2006 09:01 PM | Link to this
yall need a wach out for ohio i hear yhey have a real good team. they almost beat that team last year and stranger things can happen.
By CFB Fan
June 2, 2006 09:05 PM | Link to this
Most of them make sense but Virginia Tech should be nowhere near the top 25. No quarterback and an average offense. How can they win if they can’t score points. That’s your joke pick of the day!
By Idiot Ugay Fans
June 2, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this
GOOD GOD…. I love the post from the dummbass mutt fans how they didn’t get steamrolled in the sugar bowl….. Too bad I can’t post some of the great screen shots of the inbreds crying about getting hosed by the other inbreds….. Hey, Guy who is a Ugay fan but didn’t go to UGA… West Va did make you their bitch. ahahahah. it was great….
and to the guy who complained about thUGA being left out of the top 10…… well…. wait….here it comes….. oh boy i feel it……. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA,,,
man that’s better. that’s one of those laughs that you can’t catch your breath.
By Drew
June 2, 2006 09:27 PM | Link to this
Hey Guys, great banter. I’m a Tech fan so you know what’s coming: I wish we had Georgia Southern, UAB, Louisana Monroe and Western Kentucky on our schedule like some team I know!!!!!! I’m ready for football!!!!!
By Mike
June 2, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this
hey U idiot “gay fan” to quote falcon: “Since when is 3 points getting steamrolled. Yes, they steamrolled through the first 20 minutes of the game but Georgia dominated the last 40…just wasn’t enough.” get ur mouth away from the zipper of my pants for a minute and comment on what happened at the game…..did u even watch the game? or were u in the georgia dome men’s restroom hanging out? LOL
By hairydawgs
June 2, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this
What is funny to me is that if GaTech gets to 24 in the poll “Georgia Tech: Jackets have the tools for a pretty good year.” I love it “Pretty Good” is 24 for the Jackets…it is all about the standards for GaTech Football…the former AD said it best. Hairy
By Mike
June 2, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this
hey Drew, it’s W.Ky, UAB, Colorado and GT. and yeah, ur prolly right, W.KY and GT are 2 cupcake wins to start and end the season. Mr. Evans needs to work on that. LOL
By Dawgfan
June 2, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this
Yawn, nothing earth shattering here. Reads like it was typed, simple elementary thoughts. Could’ve typed this after reading any pre-season mag. Just think he got paid for this. Some of the responses should be in the paper instead of this non-educational drivel.
And all you guys upset that your team either is or isn’t on the list. It’s probrably because of your schedule…which leads me to my final point, picking WVU to be “in the hunt” is not a great prediction. Good team that beat us last year, but the best teams for me are also the teams that play in tough conferences with a championship. Ooops that sure narrows things down, don’t it?
Here we go…let the armchair zeros began their pre-season chatter…
By THE BLASTERS
June 2, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this
BAMA will be in the top 25. I won’t say top 10, but we will not lose more than three games. We have a chance to surprise!!! Come to T-town au-BARN!
By RDW
June 2, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this
Tony: Your top 10 teams are accurate but the order is questionable. The Irish will probably hang around the #1 slot for a while. I love the Dawgs and don’t see a top 15 team this year. Hopefully, they will end up in the top 25 and prepare for a top 5 run in the fall of 2007. You have to put BAMA in your top 25.
By Wareagle
June 2, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this
I love how UGA fans think every year is their year. Give me a break, WAR DAMN EAGLE and on to the SEC championship. Wake me up win UGA plays someone decent out of Confrence(and no Boise St doesnt count).
By Old Jim
June 3, 2006 12:16 AM | Link to this
So, West Virginia has a weak schedule and you therefore reward them with a high ranking??? What happened to spanking the weak schedules with lower rankings - or was that before ESPN lit up the $$$.
By Old Jim
June 3, 2006 12:28 AM | Link to this
* UM - #6 in ‘06 *
The U is loaded, even Jack Childress can’t beat them at home labor day, and those 3 defensive turnovers stolen by the GT Referee won’t happen again. We should have won both games and you would have seen a nice Orange Bowl win over Penn State!! FSU will lose 4-5 games this year. USC - TX - OSU won’t be in top 10.
By MD
June 3, 2006 01:19 AM | Link to this
Wow, what a completely unoriginal top 10. This same poll is in every publication in America. Who cares. Just wait until they play the games.
By dan
June 3, 2006 01:41 AM | Link to this
Who’s won a National Championship and a Final 4 appearance more recently? GT.
That’s ok though, this is a rag written by dawgs, about dawgs, for dawgs. Trash, about trash, for trash. You’ll never be respected. Give it up. Go push your paper in cobb and gwinnett while driving your z71 suburbans. Trash. Listen to chuck dowdle, trash. Lose to florida, trash. Never win a championship again, trash. Support teacher beating, liquor store robbing, illiterate trash, trash. UGA is trash. Its alums are trash. Its fans are trash. Its students are trash. Its players are trash. Enjoy being trash. Bark like trash. Live like trash. Drive like trash. Wear David Greene jerseys to braves games because people care, trash. Listen to chip carey. He is trash. You are trash. UGA is trash. Wear your red in public, make it known that you are trash. Georgia sucks. Oconee county sucks. Athens-Clarke sucks. Where you spent 4-6 years of your meaningless life sucks. Trash.
By Rob
June 3, 2006 01:55 AM | Link to this
You are a freakin moron to think that either USC or Texas will finish anywhere near the top 5. The Sooners had a freshman QB last year with superior talent around them. How did that go for them? Get a clue you tool! This is exactly why pimple-faced skinny little wanna-be’s shoudn’t be hired as sports writers…..THEY DON’T HAVE A CLUE!
By Rudy's Back
June 3, 2006 05:04 AM | Link to this
Dog fans: Go shoping this weekend for new “Bridsmaids” dresses.Dogs will DO NOTHING AGAIN!!!! ND vs Ohio St. in the BCS Championship!! Brady Quinn wins 8th Heisman!!! Rudy!!Rudy!!Rudy!!
By heeldawg
June 3, 2006 05:07 AM | Link to this
Lots of talk, as usual, in the preseason. However, a few truths consistently emerge:
Notre Dame is overrated, as always. Charlie Weis is a good coach, and Brady Quinn is a good QB, but they are not alegitimate top 10 team.
West Virginia does have a weak schedule, but that plays to its advantage. They will blow out virtually everyone and be unbeaten heading into bowl season. They really will only need to show up for the Louisville game and whatever bowl game they get into to have a shot at the national title.
In contrast to West Virginia, Florida has an incredibly difficult schedule. I don’t see the Gators getting through the Georgia/LSU/Alabama/Tennessee/Auburn/USC gauntlet unblemished, especially with Chris Leak at QB. This is not the Gators’ year, despite all of the new talent. Perhaps they should start looking at 2007.
Clemson’s coaching staff will find a way to lose at least 1-2 games that the Tigers should win on paper. They are not good enough on the bench to win the ACC title, no matter what their talent level is. To label them as contenders in the national title hunt is delusional thinking.
Auburn-LSU will decide the SEC West, but Arkansas is a sleeper team that could prove to be a spoiler. Their defense returns a lot, their coaching staff is excellent and they will be MUCH improved on offense this season.
South Carolina has a great coaching staff, and Spurrier will win some games there, but all Richt has to do to win in Columbia this year is run the ball. The Cocks couldn’t stop the run last season, and they lost a heap of talent on both sides of the line. They, too, should start looking to 2007 or 2008. Spurrier will be winning more by then. He’ll be tossing his visor a bit more this season.
&. In a “down” year, Georgia will win 9-10 games. Put it in the bank. Georgia and Auburn have the best coaching staffs in the SEC,and the talent level is simply too great for any other type of performance.
And Dan, the reason you see “trash” everywhere is obvious; you’re producing it. You’re wallowing in it, breathing it in and swallowing it, spewing it out chewing it up like the mindless bovine (that’s a cow, in case you didn’t know) you are. The fact that Georgia beats Tech in virtually every arena rankles you to no end, doesn’t it? Sticks in your craw, needles you like a sandspur in your shoe, burns you like the sun at high noon in Ethiopia, rubs you raw like those spandex pants with a hole in the crotch that you wear when you are trying to exercise that corpulent, bloated, pathetic excuse of a carcass that you haul out of your lonesome, cold, unmade bed every day. And the only way that you can make yourself feel better about that dead-end night-shift job in the IT department is to savage another school’s fans unmercifully. So have at it. Enjoy your rant in the preseason, when your delusional thoughts are not refuted on a weekly basis with your school’s on-the-field performance. When it comes to virtually any athletic endeavor, the Dawgs will beat you again. Oh, and who is on probation? Why, it’s Tech! And who is working for whom? Sorry, Dan, you may delude yourself with vague outdated notions of academic superiority, but those arguments no longer have statistical validity.
Here’s hoping the Tech golf team can add some measure of solace to your sad little life. Oh, wait, they missed the cut yesterday.
Go back to sleep. It’ll all be better in the land of your dreams, the land where Reggie can count to four and the Big Bad NCAA actually ignores those ineligible players and no Tech DBs are selling dope by the truckload (but playing football anyway). There, you might actually have a girl who likes you, as well. How exciting that would be! Why, it might be even better than video…
By WFC
June 3, 2006 05:48 AM | Link to this
UGA with all its “Parade All-Americans” managed to “overwhelm” GT 14-7 last year with a TD scored in the last three minutes of the game. Hardly a “dominant” performance! By the way, what was UGA’s signature win” last year. Bet it wasn’t Auburn or Miami on the road.
By Michael
June 3, 2006 06:02 AM | Link to this
Penn State sure fell quite a bit from 3 to 25 considering they are getting back a very good team and in addition have one of the best classes coming in this fall. They arguably have the tuffest schedule in all of college football. Mark you calender because when they beat Notre Dame and Ohio State away from home, there will be no doubt PSU is no 1. in the nation.
By William Dent
June 3, 2006 07:41 AM | Link to this
I cannot beleive that you have GT in top 25. They have a mediocre QB at best. C Johnson is wishing he had went to UGA and played for the likes of D Green and D Shockley. You have a lovefest with the Big 10 just like ESPN game day. The SEC rules the Big 10. Dawgs will be in the Dome in December and the UT ship will hit the bottom. Go Dawgs
By HOWARD
June 3, 2006 07:47 AM | Link to this
GEORGIA FANS THINK THEY HAVE A NATIONAL TEAM, BUT IT WILL BE ANOTHER SEASON WHEN THEY LOSE TO TENNESSEE AND GEORGIA ON THE EAST SIDE AND AUBURN ON THE WEST SIDE. SPURRIER MIGHT EVEN DO THE BULLPUP BITE! EAST WEST TENNESSEE AUBURN FLORIDA LSU
GEORGIA ALABAMA SOUTH CAROLINA ARKANSAS SOUTH CAROLINA
By Tommie
June 3, 2006 07:48 AM | Link to this
What you don,t give Alabama any credit just wait you’ll be suprised 10-2
By no1e
June 3, 2006 07:52 AM | Link to this
“UF, Miami, FSU are no longer top ten staples. Miami and FSU cant handle the new ACC, and UF will crumble under the their schedule this year”
Last I checked FSU IS the defending ACC Champion! And they accomplished that with most of their offensive line watching the games from a rehab facility. All three teams are TOP 10 talent wise.
By Chris
June 3, 2006 08:01 AM | Link to this
Pleassssssssssse!! Arkansas will go all the way to the top. The Bulldogs will have hoofprints all over them as the Razorbacks roll over them on their way to the National Championship. Go Razorbacks!
By Tim the BIG GATOR!!!!
June 3, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this
The Gators at #9??? Cmon,Tony!!! This is Urban’s 2nd year at UF and we all know his dominating ways in year 2’s!!!! Go GATORS!!! STEAMROLL,ANNHILATE, and HUMILIATE the DA-HAWGS!!!!! UF,SEC CHAMPIONS 2006!!!!
By Zeke
June 3, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
DO NOT FORGET SPURRIER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By UF is #1
June 3, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this
UGA fans are all the same. Year after year you claim to be going “all the way” only to fall short against UF, UT, or even possibly SC. Just sit down and shut up, and by mid october you can start talking about your National Championship run in 2007. Now onto other topics. I am a diehard Gator fan, and I am well aware that we will not be anywhere close to national championship caliber. But I think we stand a very good shot at taking the SEC Championship back to Gainsville. We could stick it next to our 2006 SEC Basketball Championship…oh and that other one, The 2006 Basketball National Champions
By MAC
June 3, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
Opportunity+Preparation=Luck of the IRISH.
I see A Notre Dame National Championship this year. Number 5 is a good Ranking. GT has no business in the Top 25. UGA should be ranked 8.
By Realist
June 3, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this
You’ve got to be kidding me! To leave out the Tide is ridiculous. Bama will be the SEC West Champ in 2006 and National Champ in 2008.
By ArrogantUGAFans
June 3, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this
Reading the arrogance of UGA never ceases to amaze me. I do not know why it surprises…I have been seeing for over 20 years. For supposed “knowledgable” football fans, the seem to always have a warped sense of self-importance while revising history of events surrounding their program (You DID get steamrolled by WVU…if you did not, you would not have had had to try to make a furious comeback. There was more to the story of that game than the final score.)
By Ben
June 3, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
Hey, remember last year, when every one of the so-called “experts” said that South Carolina is going to win at most 4-5 games? And remember when they knocked off all but Georgia in the East, challenging for a conference championship? And remember that with the exception of a great corner and an overrated safety, they lost essentially nobody on defense, and lost literally no one on offense? Couple all of this with the forthcoming Heisman contender season of Sidney Rice, they ever-increasing poise of Blake Mitchell, and the return of the explosive tailback Corey Boyd, and you have a moronic oversight on this list. But, I guess for us fans being a sleeper is fun too.
By Jeff
June 3, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this
Tony:
Unfortunately, there are not enough of college football fans here in the Boston area.
Jeff….
By Mark
June 3, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this
Archive it.
Ohio State and Notre Dame for the National Championship. GO IRISH!
By GT
June 3, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this
Virginia Tech has Frank Beamer, the Bobby Cox of college football, that is why they are ranked. Georgia bearly escape a average Ga. Tech team and lost to an over hyped W.Virginia team because they were out coached. That coaching for Georgia comes back next year. Tennessee made a change in their coaching staff and will be trouble next year as will LSU, Auburn and Florida. South Carolina won’t be a cakewalk and Alabama is still in the air, but may be real. Hell even Ark. will have some guns. The ACC will be slighly down and the SEC up and both will beat the hell out of each other and let some Texas or Ohio State win by default. Tech could help the southern cause by getting rid of ND early and they have a great shot being the first game of the year at Tech.
By angell
June 3, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this
TONY: Where’d you go to highschool and college? ~~Angell
By Jordan
June 3, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the elite team in college football. The people stepping up on D are division I starters at any other school last year. We won’t be good, we will be great. Ted Ginn will not under-produce. He is faster than he was last year. See you in the national championship…
By techaholic
June 3, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
Tech in the Top 25 preseason? Well, I GUESS ANYBODY can be in the Top 25 before the season, it is all about where you are at the end!
GT under Chan Gailey will never be a Top 25 season ending team - PERIOD!
By Hoosier
June 3, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this
Michigan State should be between 15 and 25. Much like everyone knows, Texas, USC, West Virgina, Notre Dame, Okohoma, and Ohio State all could be given any spot from one through six and the prognosticator would not be to far off. Omitting Michigan State however, is a very large mistake.
By damngooddawg
June 3, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this
its too bad that the poll can’t include more SEC teams in the top ten, but that just wouldn’t be fair to those other so-called conferences without championships. i am not too worried about the Dawgs not being in the top ten (according to “Mr. CollegeFootball”) at this point. i saw the g-day game and i am pretty confident that it will be a sad day for the offense that faces the dawgs each saturday judging by our defensive talent. and i know that our opponents are anxious to find out who our new gunslinger will be. i trust in richt. GO DAWGS!!!! see ya at the dome!!
By db
June 3, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this
So you want Auburn to come to T-town? The last time I checked Alabama had never beaten Auburn in Tuscaloosa. In fact, they have hardly scored on Auburn in T-town. More of the same this year.
By desertdawg
June 3, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
heeldawg, that was hilarious!! SOLID RIP
By Renton
June 3, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this
Not as bad as I first thought it would be, only a few things I would like to voice on… What is with Miami in the top 10 totally new coaching staff plus no so good depth at WR and huge questions about that QB of theirs… Also where is UCLA? I know they should not be top 15 with the Drew and Olsen gone, but with a phenom young talent at QB starting this year, and Markey proveing last year he can run the ball their offence should be tough, and they should have a better D as well… go ahead and take BC, PSU, VT, and Tennessee out of the top 25… other than that I can see most… I think FSU, Georgia, and LSU will all move up dramatically by week 5, but you can not put them up there till they prove it on the field…
By JL
June 3, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this
The best part of this is all the complaints from UGA fans. Since 1990 (besides 2002) your team has been ranked no higher then #7 in a final poll. You are a mediocre power, you haven’t played for a national championship and consistently can’t beat your rivals. Then finally you win an SEC championship and embarrass yourself to a lowly big east squad. All your high hopes constantly end in disappointment. I guess I would be bitter too if I could only root for my team to be at best a top 10 team and not a national champion. So before you talk trash about Florida, FSU, Miami, LSU, Hell Georgia Tech and Clemson have both won national championships since you have. So all you dawgs can keep pouting and saying how this is the year, but face it it’s never your year.
By cfa fan
June 3, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this
Hey Tony, I consider you one of the most knowledgeable CF writers in the country, however, I’m surprised you’ve got caught up in the WVa. hype which is the same hype of 2005 preseason Louisville, some preseason polls had them #3. WVa. has NO defense and a very good offense, but no one will overlook them and they must win at Louisville. WVa. won’t even win their conference.
UGA & AU have the best coaching staffs in the SEC. Their talent is better or equal to all their opponents. They should win their divisions.
Do us all a favor, and tell you poll voting buddies to give the SEC the damn respect we deserve. LSU & Auburn have been snubbed in the past few years and if an SEC team had been undefeated last year, they would have been snubbed again over a Pac 10 Team. How the hell did the historically toughest & most competitive football conference in the land lose the respect of poll voters?
By wayne
June 3, 2006 04:03 PM | Link to this
First off let me remind you that miami had the most dominating defense. One peach bowl doesnt make a season. Miami has 10 starters on defense returning and everyone knows defense wins championships. Kyle Wright wil be one of the best quaterbacks in the nation this year with one all american tight end and one in the making. Last off over the last ten years no one has a better record or the alumni support which cant be matched.
By wayne
June 3, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this
and for the texas and usc fans my high school jv team plays a tougher schedule
By Eddie
June 3, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this
JL why dont you get your jealous facts right if your going to give them.Ga was number 6 in the coaches poll 2003.And when my team plays in the SEC, THE BEST CONFERENCE and has the best record under Richt during his tenure despite having Dumbo Donnan recruit only one offensive lineman in 2 years causing GA to have to play all freshman and soph in 2003 you bet I’ll be happy with number 6.Not to mention having to play Aubarn and LSU at the end of the year when they were the best team in the country knocks you out of the top 5.By the way whos talked trash about LSU?And if you would trade Ga T or Clemsons programs over Richts tenure your a moron I totally understand your logic and JEALOUSY!
By Blacksburger
June 3, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this
Virginia Tech doesn’t need an awesome QB. Just one that doesn’t screw up. Our D and special teams will win games for us.
By T
June 3, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this
Tech will blow it just like they did last year and as an alum I hope they do because that means Gailey will be gone and we can hire a real coach… Butch Davis!
By John
June 3, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this
I guess he just “forgot” about Alabama. No problem, same thing as last year. Probably another 9 or 10 wins for the Tide. 6 of his Top 25 are jokes. I wonder what a game between TCU and Alabama would turn out like?
By butch
June 3, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this
LSU will beat Auburn….win the West and play GA in the SEC title game
By butch
June 3, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this
Miami number 8…do you mean Miami of Ohio on the Miami that LSU destroyed with a 2nd string QB making his 1st ever start?
By clove
June 3, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this
notre dame has the passing/room game to compete for the title. throw in also an improving defense and a great coach
By DHD
June 3, 2006 09:04 PM | Link to this
It’s just an opinion, GA fans. Simma down. I have seen other top 25 predictions that don’t include GA in the top 10. Just win your games and you don’t have to worry about opinions.
By Kaci
June 3, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this
Why are all the the UG fans complaining? Come on people look @ your team last year & honestly with what you lost tell me that you will do better in ‘06.
On another note: Yea the Buckeyes lost 9 defensive starters but that doesn’t mean the younger guys can’t step up & make it happen.Tressel has ALWAYS had one hell of a defense & most people who’s sanity is not quesioned believe that it will continue. Tressel will mold guys into what he wants, he will move guys around, & he will do whatever it takes to make it happen. Not to mention the offensive power The Buckeyes will have ne year with Teddy & Troy. Regardless of what anybody says Teddy will produce. Him & Troy have the power to change a game around with just one play.
By Scarvey
June 3, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this
I believe you are correct. Sept 9 will indeed be a deciding factor which will determine the top team to watch throughout the rest of the season. OHIO STATE will have a strong defense despite losing several starters. One thing about Tressel is that he always has a strong set of players on the back burner thanks to the team’s excellent recruiting.
By SSB Charley
June 4, 2006 07:49 AM | Link to this
To the fan of the Blight on North Avenue, who wanted to know about our signature wins last year, I’d say shellacking LSU to win the SEC championship certainly qualifies. And to the others who complain about our non-conference schedule, we can’t help it that the Blight sucks every year. I’d love to drop the nerds and get another real team on the schedule, but we seem to feel compelled to keep playing them. And to the fans of the sons of Clem: you haven’t mattered since the cheating stopped. There’s a reason your coach is on the hot-seat every year: you’re not very good.
By wayne
June 4, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this
ohio state ohio state ohio state you are one bad call from being national champ runner up. You lost your best wide reciver and you entire defense. youwill be lucky to finish in the top ten. Two players dont make a team and tressel looks like a f* in that sweater.
By Lee
June 4, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this
Pretty good picks, though Auburn should be in the top five. Bama should be where they are, out of the top 25 also. Can’t wait to give them the annual beat down in Tuskaloser, the home away from home for Auburn, or as it’s known in Lee County, Tommy Tuberville Field at Bryant Denny Stadium. One for the THUMB BABY!!!! I don’t think Auburn will lose a game this year and will play in the NC game.
By Buddy Dawg
June 4, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this
Tony always has underrates Georgia and overrates Tennessee.
Barnhardt has Tennessee in the top 3 every year except for this one.
By the way, when are we gonna stop playing such unfitting pregame music at Sanford Stadium. We’ll have 50 recruits on the sidelines prior to a game and the speakers will be blaring Sheryl Crowe or the Goo Good Dolls. I was on the sideline before the game twice last season. Both times, the recruits would look at each other, roll their eyes and giggle nervously while the stadim speakers were playing some goofy music that 40-year old white people don’t like, let alone 18-year old kids. We’re losing recruits. For an impressionable kid, that stuff matters. You never know what will sway a kid, because kids are crazy.
By Duck Fan
June 4, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this
Good rankings this year as in past years. As we all know it wont be clear until Early January as to how good teams are. I mean look at how things turned out last year Tennessee struggled badly and my Ducks unranked by the way in the preseason went 10-2 and played many gams without senior quarterback Kellen Clemens. Thank you for giving Oregon some love as it is hard to get love out here in the West from the East coast rporters when half of them cant prnounce Oregon right…
By RxDawg
June 4, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this
By andrew
June 4, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this
who remembers the 2003 fiesta bowl? miami was going to walk all over the buckeyes, because the big ten was so weak that year. now, im confused. if all of those southern teams are so fast, why didnt miami put their fast guys on the field?
By Jordan
June 4, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this
KPH IS AN IDIOT. How can you even speak when USC beat Arkansas by about 10 touchdowns last year, which might have been the most lopsided win of the year. Please, I don’t understand why you can’t believe that the Pac-10 is better than you want to believe. Just because we’ve got the best bowl record, the best bcs bowl record, the list goes on….
By ROB
June 4, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this
Rankings look good, however it’s a wait and see process on Ohio State because of the mountain to climb on denfense. Also, this is for the SEC and southern football fans in general. I’m not completely sure why you think you have the best football, by far, in the country I have to believe that you continually say it because of jealousy. Midwest football is where football fever started and stayed. I guess you will always have to live with the fact that the Big 10 (Western)conference has been around before some of your SEC schools even started playing football.
By andrew
June 4, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this
amen
By patrick
June 5, 2006 12:15 AM | Link to this
andrew makes a good point, why didn’t miami put any of their fast players on the field in their last (ever) national championship game? dorsey looked so dazed and confused as he hobbled to the sidelines towards the end of the game after seeing what a real defense (in a conference that wasn’t the big east mind you) could do. add to this that ohio state has the fastest defense they’ve ever had this year (don’t believe me? you should have seen the spring game). Not to mention that of you guys are so caught up with troy and teddy that no one seems to have thought about gonzalez and pittman. if ohio state beats texas, they go all the way. notre dame will lose to mighigan after getting lucky for a few years. miami will continue their skid. oklahoma will be solid but not good enough to beat texas. usc will probably go undefeated because the pac-10 is a bunch of pussies and ohio state will own usc in the fiesta bowl with DEFENSE. bow to tressel, b***.
By Taylor
June 5, 2006 07:54 AM | Link to this
kph,
Look at USC in nonconference games? Since 2002: Auburn 2-0 Arkansas 1-0 Iowa 1-0 Michigan 1-0 VT 1-0 Oklahoma 1-0 Texas 0-1 Notre Dame 4-0
Historically, here is their performance against the conferences based on current alignment.
Atlantic Coast Conference 10-6-0 0.625
Big 12 Conference 27-9-2 0.737 Big East Conference 9-4-0 0.692 Big Ten Conference 63-27-2 0.696 Division I-A Independent 34-43-5 0.445 Southeastern Conference 16-10-1 0.611 (against Georgia by the way: 3-0)
Even if you believe the PAC-10 to be weak, their performance against the other conferences speaks for itself. Educate yourself before you type.
By ROB
June 5, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this
That’s a damn good point, it is hard to argue with numbers. Just to defend my big 10 however, how many of those wins were effectively in USC’s home stadium (the Rose Bowl)?
By AltamahaDawg
June 5, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this
renegade, stop talking like you have been a fan about one year. 3 points in a BCS game. Most embarrassing point in UGA athletics? get a life. I suppose you weren’t there just a few years ago. Were you in the stadium for SoMiss , Donnans opener? Or the total give up against Tech that cost him the job? How about AU in 97? SB was very close to the biggest BSC comback of all time. Disappointed sure, even critical, whatever. But the arrogance of you to be embarrassed. Hell you are an onlooker, not a participant. Who are you to judge the player and coaches with your personal embarrassment. So is it your position that you should be embarrased because the UGA players somehow werent attempting to stop WV untill the second quarter. Were they smoking crack on the sideline or shouting obsenities at crippled children? How exactly were you personally embarrased? Pretty shallow and get over it already. This is at least the third time you have declared this in a blog that had nothing to do with the SB. What life do you have that this game “scared” you, so bad to keep bringing up that crap?
Steamrolled indicates 60 minutes, which is far from what happened. FYI, it is a 60 minute game , I realize you walked out after the first 15. Glass half empty much?
By georgia_hokie
June 5, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this
While I won’t get into the whole debate about where teams belong, because that can change constantly and preseason rankings should always be taken with a grain of salt…for my own personal pride, I’d like to point out that Virginia Tech was the only team to beat WVU last year, a team that made UGA look foolish for quite a while in the Sugar Bowl. Not only did the Hokies beat them, but in Morgantown.
By toemeetsleather
June 5, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this
glad someone besides myself knows chan is going to lead this jacket team to glory…had georgia on ropes for 3 quarters and feel this is the year we get them in athens….asked miami how we can do in away games….GO JACKETS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Ryan
June 5, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
Penn State has the best linebackers and wideouts in the nation. Anthony Morelli, the future best QB in PSU history, becomes a Heisman candidate after he dismantles Notre Dame on the road and a Heisman favorite after he knocks OSU out of the top perch on the road two weeks later. This team is better than last year’s. Big mistake putting them at #25. Better hedge your bets.
By Rob
June 5, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this
Ryan, I wouldn’t ink Morelli as the next Marino yet. As I remember it another PA prospect (Chad Henne) was supposed to be a 3 time Heisman favorite up in Michigan. It hasn’t quite worked out yet. After the squeeker last year in Happy Valley, don’t expect anything but Ohio State’s best shot at Penn State in the SHOE! It could get real ugly for PSU.
By TNGator
June 5, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this
Georgia fans need to stop thinking they are gonna do anything this year, especially beat the Gators. Do y’all remember the WVU game and that so called “rinky dink” offense that we run is almost a mirror image of theirs? We didn’t even attempt to truly run it last year in JVille. Just wait to Leak feels comfortable this year and we are teeing off on Tara Lipinski again.
Basically Georgia will be lucky to finish 2nd in the East, considering that Spurrier will probably beat them this year too. Looks to me like 15 out of 17.
PS - Georgia has had a rinky dink offense ever since Emmitt Smith’s backup left Athens a quarter of a century ago!
By GATORGUY
June 5, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this
GOOD JOB TONY. FLORIDA WILL HAVE A TUFF SCHEDULE. AND I THINK WE WILL BEAT THOSE GEORGIA POODLES. NEXT YEAR WILL BE 15 OUT OF 17 YEARS. I DONT AGREE WITH OHIO STATE AS # 1 BECAUSE THEY LOST 4 OR 6 GUYS IN THE FIRST ROUND ALONE. AS MUCH AS I HATE TO SAY IT WITH THE GUYS RETURNING NOTRE DAME SHOULD BE #1.
By austindog
June 5, 2006 03:47 PM | Link to this
Dawg haters love that WVU game, but trying to discuss it is like “who’s on first”.
“Georgia got stomped” - by 3 points “WVU rolled in the first 20 min” - UGA controlled the next 40 “but the game is 60 minutes” - right, and WVU won by 3 “Naw, UGA got stomped.”
If the team scoring was reversed UGA would have “barely won” or “should have lost.”
Georgia Bulldogs, 2005 SEC Champs! Hate it!
By Terry
June 5, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this
I like your top 25, no east coast bias or big school bias just picking good teams. It’s good to see an article written without narrow-mindedness of the teams and conferences you only watch and the favoritism of the conference/team you graduated from affect your top 25.
By collegefan
June 5, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this
The Ohio State defense will be a non-issue come october. I am still worried about a couple of good running teams in the beginning of the year Texas, and N. Illinois. They may look shaky to start but mark my words they will lock it down.
This may be a mute point anyway, with an offense that could put up 50 pts a game.
By Gatorjon
June 5, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this
**ARE YOU CRAZY HAVE THE #1 CLASS AND ONLY #9 GATORS ALWAYS HAVE HAD A TOUGH SCHEDULE AND EVERYONE WE PLAY IS A RIVAL GAME. IT’S GREAT TO BE A FL. GATOR. THE REST OF THE SEC WILL BE IN OUR DUST UT IS TERRIBLE AND WE WILL BLOW OUT THE TIGERS BOTH OF THEM WATCH OUT THE REST OF THE NATION WILL BE IN AWWWW AS WE CHOMP THE TEAM ACROSS THE FIELD. GO GAOTRS I BLEED ORANGE AND BLUE
By Lawrence Ross
June 6, 2006 01:00 AM | Link to this
It’s going to be soooooo beautiful when Cal goes into Tennessee and whips their behind. All of you CFB fans who never watch the Pac-10, but can talk about the third string at Vanderbilt, will soon see what most informed college football fans know. Jeff Tedford is a damn offensive genius (I’m guessing Fulmer’s not, since he had to go get Cutcliffe again) and that the team is loaded, not just on the offensive side, but on the defensive side too. But that’s okay, you’ll learn in September. Prediction: Cal: 42 Tennessee: 21
By TNGator
June 6, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this
Informed? I hate to defend UT but where was Oregon in their bowl game this year or Cal the year before? I mean Cal only beat BYU by 7 this year too. UT isn’t very good but going into Neylend is always hard and expect those fans to be p** off and ready to go after last season. Cal has never experienced anything like going into an SEC stadium. Should be a close game but UT never loses September games except to Florida. Go Gators!
By Lawrence Ross
June 6, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this
Unless those fans are suiting up, it’s man versus man on the field. Cal is fast and deep. UT? Well, they’re not.
By B
June 6, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
You better respect Clemson because they are coming to play this year!
By AltamahaDawg
June 6, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this
lawrence, that as funny about the vandy third string. I suspect that happens on the left coast as well. Fulmer has always publically stated that he is not an X and O man. He has always had coodinators, so you didn’t really ding him on that. Cal prabably comes in the fav and may very well win, but a butt whipping? I like your attitude, but better get yourself a comfy seat for that one.
By Andy Thomas
June 6, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this
Tony:
Clemson fans are really excited about the season. Kinda like in 1977 when Clemson had a big season that led to Tiger success in the 80’s. Many of us believe that this is the start of something BIG for the Tigers. Of course, I love college football in general and especially the south. It will be an interesting year. Besides the Tigers, how is Georgia going do? What about Tennessee. Miami? Well, just a couple of more months before that old ball goes into the air and we can enjoy the sights and sound of gameday. I can’t wait!
By Tom
June 6, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this
Here is how Georgia is going to do…
The most overrated team in Tony’s list is Georgia. I saw their spring game and Joe T’s performance last year. Their QB play is the worst I’ve seen since Reggie Ball’s second year. Ga was the only team team who couldn’t field two offensive lines in their spring game. This means a long season for the Bulldogs.
Georgia’s season will go this way:
Western Kentucky (win). Close first half. Ga pulls away in 3rd quarter on defensive and special teams scores. Lots of penalties. No standout at QB.
South Carolina (loss). Ga will score FG’s using alternating QB’s. SC will score TD’s burning Ga’s inexperienced secondary and controlling the game from the start, say 28-12.
UAB (close win). UAB’s running game will control the clock. Ga will sell out on the running game in the second half, stopping UAB at the goal line at the end of the game.
Colorado (loss). Ga will underestimate the Buffaloes at it’s own peril. CU wins by two TD’s. Ga continues to alternate QB’s.
Mississippi (loss). Ga’s thin offensive line loses two key players after facing much stronger and deeper Mississippi and Colorado lines. Schaeffer pulls a Pat White and it is a very long day for the Bulldogs.
Tennessee (blowout loss). Ga finally starts a freshman QB, who is sacked nine times.
Vanderbilt (blowout win). Ga abandons the alternating of QB’s. Joe T starts and looks all-world against VU.
Mississippi State (close loss). Ga is physically dominated on offense. Defense keeps it close but slow LB’s give up a long run late.
Florida (blowout loss). Another nightmare for Joe T on the St. John’s.
Kentucky (loss). Demoralized and tired team comes out flat against a surprising UK squad playing for its coach’s future. Ga starts alternating QB’s again looking for a spark, but to no avail.
Auburn (blowout loss). Ga again starts a freshman QB. Auburn substitutes freely in the 2nd half.
Georgia Tech (close loss). Freshman QB has fast start but GT’s defense sparks second half comeback.
Georgia finishes the season 3-9.
By Tech will beat ND
June 6, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this
Dog fans make fun of SC for almost winning and feeling good but they feel good about the great comeback against West Vir…but they still lost!
By DirkDawggler
June 7, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this
Tom,
I like you. But then again, I like pinkeye.
By Kris Reinhart
June 7, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this
Georgia needs a QB.
If you are reading this you need a life.
go Dawgs!!!
By TacomaDomer00
June 7, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this
I don’t understand how a team gets to be ranked 4th just because they have a terrible schedule? Granted, WVU looks to be a very strong team and would still compete for the national championship if they weren’t scared of playing any decent teams out of conference, but to give them extra pre-season credit for a weak schedule? The opposite should be true.
By DC
June 7, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this
To wayne and all other detractors: No one in their right mind mind would argue that the SEC is not the toughest conference. That said, UT(the one with burnt orange) will not be playing some powder puff schedule. The second game of the season is agaist Ohio State. They play Texas Tech-who barely lost to Alabama in the Cotton Bowl-in Lubbock. Underachieving rival A&M comes to Austin and one of the best games in college football will be played in mid October in the Cotton Bowl. Throw in the Big XII Championship game, I hope, and Texas has one of the harder schedules outside of Gainesville.
By SunDawg
June 7, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this
Tom, if you look at your keyboard you will notice there are no sharp edges. The reason is that people like you, when off medication, are dangerous to themselves and sometimes others. Now focus; I want you to ignore the voices in your head, the ones that gave you the DAWGS schedule, and repeat to yourself, I have worth, I’m a good person, I can control my fears.
There, now don’t you feel better, dumba$$.
By Dev
June 8, 2006 12:04 AM | Link to this
One team that you obviously forgot about is Arizona State. How can you not have the best offense in the country in the top 25? With the defensive line transfers from Florida, Northwestern and BYU, coupled with a strong recruiting class including some top JUCO talent. Yesterday was 6/6/6. It is the year of the DEVILS!
By Kevin Ellis
June 8, 2006 01:43 AM | Link to this
Michigan only 19 come on, 11wins and one loss. Clemson who. What has Bowden ever one.
By J
June 8, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this
War Eagle .
By ENGLISH TEACHER
June 9, 2006 02:31 AM | Link to this
to all of you red necks out there go to english class and maybe they will teach you how to spell the word TOUGH is not spelled TUFF
tough:
adj 1: not given to gentleness or sentimentality; “a tough character” [ant: tender] 2: very difficult; severely testing stamina or resolution; “a rugged competitive examination”; “the rugged conditions of frontier life”; “the competition was tough”; “it’s a tough life”; “it was a tough job” [syn: rugged] 3: physically toughened; “the tough bottoms of his feet” [syn: toughened] [ant: tender] 4: substantially made or constructed; “sturdy steel shelves”; “sturdy canvas”; “a tough all-weather fabric”; “some plastics are as tough as metal” [syn: sturdy] 5: violent and lawless; “the more ruffianly element”; “tough street gangs” [syn: ruffianly] 6: feeling physical discomfort or pain (tough' is occasionally used colloquially forbad’); “my throat feels bad”; “she felt bad all over”; “he was feeling tough after a restless night” [syn: bad] 7: tough to cut or chew [ant: tender] 8: unfortunate or hard to bear; “had hard luck”; “a tough break” [syn: hard] n 1: someone who learned to fight in the streets rather than being formally trained in the sport of boxing [syn: street fighter] 2: an aggressive and violent young criminal [syn: hood, hoodlum, goon, punk, thug, toughie, strong-armer] 3: a cruel and brutal fellow [syn: bully, hooligan, ruffian, roughneck, rowdy, yob, yobo, yobbo]
oh ya getting back to college football you heard it here first the university of california golden bears will win the pac 10 and challenge for the national title. With a loaded offense building on an experienced defense coupled with the greatest offensive mind in the college game in Jeff Tedford, the cal will be an excellent team. Also they play both USC and UCLA at home this year giving them glimpses of a perfect season after they show the west coast hating south how good they are when they blow out Tennesse by more than any other team and then kill Texas for the national title. You all will see that west coast football is the best in the nation us “surfers” just get no respect because everyone in the back of their mind always will want to move out here so they can ruin the beaches with their “shoobey” ways(tourist’s ways for you non californians) and show of your southern farmers tans while all the hot chicks breed out here ths proving that west is better than east and Cal will be able to kill any team thrown at them this year!
By TN Gator
June 9, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
Dear English Teacher, We probably should correct your gramatically errors…
I would like to begin by explaining to you that websites, more often than not, do not have spellcheck. Therefore, the rule that you should live your life by, as an English Teacher, should be proofread.
“the cal will be an excellent team.” -i think you meant cal but you could just be ignorant. Moving on…
” You all will see that west coast football is the best in the nation us “surfers” just get no respect” -two things in this fragment, so pay attention. There should be a period between nation and us because they are two separate sentences, which is pretty elementary. You could use “and” if you would like as well. Also, get no respect should be “just don’t get “any” respect”.
You also meant to put “off” instead of “of” when talking about farmer’s tan and you meant to say “thus” instead of “ths”. You should be caught up on your english.
But regardless, the PAC 10 is a second rate league in everything that it does. You were probably praising UCLA’s basketball team until they had to play a team that was actually physical and Jo Noah became UCLA’s daddy. Expect similar results in football. The PAC 10 thinks because they play a second tier SEC team and wins, means that they could win the conference. Plain and simple, Cal will not beat UT. I hate UT but they are loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and giving up points last year was not an issue for them. As long as they can score a few points, Cal will not win and Kyle Boller’s ex-coach’s offense will not shine.
I hope this was educational for you on two levels. So while Cal is enjoying the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, the Florida Gators will be down the road in Phoenix for the BCS Championship Game.
I hear the weather is nice in San Diego in December…
By goodforyou, TNg
June 10, 2006 10:06 PM | Link to this
You got tuff with him!
By Trey
June 10, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this
UGA will need more that good play at QB to win the SEC this year. Last I remembered, you had to play ALL 60 minutes to win a football game, regardless if you dominate the first 20 or last 40 minutes of the Sugar Bowl.
By Jay
June 12, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this
The Buckeyes will make all other teams look like chumps this year. Ted Ginn made the Irish look like fools in the Fiesta Bowl. I predict he will repeat that performance several times this year.
By Jay
June 12, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this
The Buckeyes will make all other teams look like chumps this year. Ted Ginn made the Irish look like fools in the Fiesta Bowl. I predict he will repeat that performance several times this year.
By jpaar
June 12, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this
gt has had 2 not so good recruiting classes in a row, hope Barnhart is right but…
By whatthehell
June 13, 2006 01:00 AM | Link to this
tony, this is good but man ucla has to be in there man they were 10 -2 and had a tough scedule….you shouls consider them!
By Second coming of Anna
June 13, 2006 08:02 AM | Link to this
whatthehell - forget it. The Irish are going to whip the Bruins in October in South Bend, then travel to LA to exact some of that thirty point spread revenge against USC (last year was the tide turning for the blue and gold, sorry Uncle Petey). That’s the L.A. Championship. Then the Irish are going to wrap up the “Commandant’s Trophy” on November 18th after stomping Army - netting them a win this year against all three service academies. This is the year of the Irish, sorry Tech fans - your boys are going to be made an example of September 2nd. Do any of you really think Reggie Ball will be able to stay score for score with Brady Quinn? Dawg fans, just try to keep your incoming freshman class out of jail, or from beating up Nutrition class professors. Also, watch ND dismantle Tech and ask yourself why “Bobby Bowden Jr.” didn’t recruit Darius Walker to play for the Dawgs - he’s a more complete back than anything UGA has on the roster. GO IRISH.
By TN Gator
June 13, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
I hope Notre Dame can find their way past Michigan State this year. I mean John L. Smith has that team poised for another overrated and underachieving season, kinda like Notre Dame will have this year. Plus I dunno how Brady Quinn will recover from the fact that he knows that he and his sister have been sacked by AJ Hawk.
How about Notre Dame show some testicular fortitude and join a conference, albeit the Big Ten. Then come back and talk some smack when y’all stop playing the service academies and Stanford every year. By the way, is Notre Dame dodging Boston College and replacing them with UNC because that’s pretty sad?
PS - Enjoy your Clausen because no one from that family can succeed in the SEC but maybe one of them can against a bunch of cupcakes every year. Go Gators!
By Second coming of Anna
June 13, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this
TN Gator - Tebow is a stud, let’s not let petty differences get in the way of talent evaluation. The Clausen’s suffered from really poor coaching (I think it is obvious to everyone, even Charlie Weis who tried to hire him, that David Cutcliffe was the reason the Vols were as good as they were year after year. If he hadn’t had a coronary, he’d be the offensive coordinator and QB coach in South Bend right now.)
Also Kentucky, Vandy and Western Carolina should be as much of a challenge for the Gators as the Service Academies would be. Hey, we already play the good Big 10 teams (with OSU being the exception), do you want us to put Indiana on the schedule maybe??? Even though I went to school there I will ALWAYS say the SEC is the toughest conference year in and year out.
And hey, we aren’t dodging Boston College… we just can’t seem to beat them, okay?!
Nice one about Quinn’s sister and the “sack” She’s no Eva Longoria, but that dude is ugly.
By Second coming of Anna
June 13, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this
Hey TN Gator, I almost forgot. Didn’t Notre Dame whip Florida 39 to 28 in that Sugar Bowl in 1993? The last time those two teams met?? And Florida was coached by Spurrier weren’t they?? Just checking.
By TN Gator
June 13, 2006 05:59 PM | Link to this
Lets be honest, when was the last time that Notre dame truly fielded a team that deserved the recognition that it got? I would say 1988 because they didn’t belong on the same field as Oregon State in Fiesta Bowl, as hard as that is to believe and they probably shouldn’t have been in this years Fiesta Bowl either. But because of poor performances by LSU, Auburn, Virginia Tech, etc they snuck in.
Honestly I like what Weis is doing but they aren’t gonna win anything anytime soon. Don’t sleep on GA Tech. You’d be surprised what that team is capable of doing when Reggie’s got his head on straight. I can’t remember the last time Florida went into Miami and won.
By Second coming of Anna
June 14, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this
TN Gator, 1993 after knocking off #1 FSU at home, we deserved the ranking we got, until we choked against Boston College the following week! But that was during the Holtz era, the last real era of ND football until now. And trust me, the bravado for our whipping of Tech is masking a real sense of dread (yeah, I grew up here - i’ve seen what has happened to top ranked teams when they play the Jackets. And Calvin Johnson is a true great one.) Not being in a conference and being “the biggest draw on the college football planet” helped ND get into the Fiesta Bowl this year, no doubt.
Hey, I’m a college football fan - my neighbor flies his GATOR flag on his house year round and all he and I have been talking about is Tebow and Leak. Leak seems like the kind of QB that would excel under the ND type of system, but Meyer’s offense looks tailor made for Tebow. Going to be a good 4 years to be a Gator coming up I have a feeling. That kid is tough as nails too.
By patrick
June 16, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this
for the guy who said ohio state wouldn’t have won the national championship but for a bad call, I would like ot call his attention to this site: http://531ghostown.com/id148.htm