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Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Will Alabama fool the “experts?”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Every season we have surprise teams that defy the “experts” and surpass expectations. Last year it was Wake Forest, which came out of nowhere to win the ACC championship. Who will be the surprise team this season? Try these five on for size:
1. Alabama: Everybody (me included) is picking Alabama to finish fourth in the SEC West. Why do I keep getting this feeling that Nick Saban, the $4 million man, is going to do something with this bunch? With nine starters back on offense and a bunch of holes on defense, this looks like a seven-win team at best. Why do I get the feeling it will be 8 or 9 wins?
2. South Florida: Everybody’s conceding the Big East championship to West Virginia and Louisville. It would be wise not to overlook the Bulls. They have the Big East Rookie of the Year from 2006 in quarterback Matt Grothe (2,576 yards passing, 15 touchdowns). Eight starters return on each side of the ball. They get West Virginia and Louisville at home.
3. Arizona State: Say what you want about Dennis Erickson, but he took Oregon State to the Fiesta Bowl and won two national championships at Miami. The man can coach ball. He expects to be very competitive in his first season in Tempe with 10 starters back on offense and six on defense. This team will go to a pretty decent bowl game.
4. N.C. State: Everybody (me included) is picking N.C. State to finish last in the ACC Atlantic. But there is a new sheriff in town in coach Tom O’Brien. There are some tough non-conference games in UCF, Louisville, and East Carolina, but O’Brien could get this team to six wins.
5. Missouri: Yeah, I know. A lot of people are picking the Tigers to win the Big 12 North. But Missouri has not won any kind of football championship since 1969 so I’ll believe it when I see it. Missouri has a very good quarterback in Chase Daniel, one of nine starters returning on offense. If Missouri is in the Big 12 championship game, I’ll be surprised.
Am I wrong about any of these teams? What teams did I leave out? What would be your top five?
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