No need for too much explanation - here's how ETS sees No. 10-6 heading into this season with a little help from our friends at YouTube.
No. 10 - Cal
Cal couldn't keep up with USC or Tennessee last year, lost on the road in Arizona, and needed OT to beat Washington. Why does this matter? It doesn't.
After spanking Texas A&M in the Holiday Bowl last year, things look bright on Tightwad Hill, especially with USC making the trip to Berkeley this season. Teams should expect a healthy dose of Nate Longshore to DeSean Jackson, and although losing Marshawn Lynch will hurt, Justin Forsett is an agile, 20-carry type of a back.
As for DeSean Jackson, isn't everyone still buzzing about his matchup with Texas' Aaron Ross in the Holiday Bowl? At ETS, we sure are glad Desmond Howard told us to watch out for it.
No. 9 - Wisconsin
Bret Bielema had arguably the greatest first season of any coach in college history, going 12-1 with a win over Arkansas in the Capital One Bowl. A favorable schedule (Michigan comes to Madison), stacked defense and talented RB P.J. Hill has some publications, including Street and Smith's, listing Wisconsin as the team to beat in the Big 10 (+1).Tyler Donovan steps in for Joe Stocco this season, and it's BCS or bust in Wisconsin.
Over the past few years, Wisconsin has become one of the conference's, in not the nation's, premier programs. How they do this year may determine whether or not it stays that way. Jump around.
No. 8 - Louisville
I might be the last person on the Louisville bandwagon, as I flat out refused to believe the Cardinals were among the top teams in the nation. After beating West Virginia and winning the Big East last season, consider me converted.
Bobby Petrino has the pleasure of cleaning up the dogfighting mess in Atlanta, while Steve Kragthorpe has the opportunity to ride the talent Petrino left behind. Brian Brohm is a Heisman contender, but he has a lot of prove after what transpired in Piscataway, NJ against Rutgers last year.
Although they're the defending champions, people have pegged West Virginia as the team to beat in the Big East. The Cardinals will likely enter Morgantown 9-0, and if they win there, will likely have their championship hopes on the line against Rutgers at home in the season finale. After last year's Rutgers-Louisville game, it'll be "showtime in the 'ville," apparently.
No. 7 - Texas
My favorites to take the Big 12 South, Texas continues to benefit from "Coach February" stockpiling talent with top recruiting classes every year. Fans of Big 12 South opponents seem to foster an absolute hatred for Colt McCoy, his 12-year-old visage and his paper-thin limbs. But the fact of the matter is, all he has to do is distribute the ball to a stacked receiving corps while being protected by a stacked offensive line. Limas Sweed, Jordan Shipley, Quan Cosby, Billy Pittman, and Jermichael Finley will give the Big 12's shoddy defensive backs fits.
McCoy's health will always be a concern after how he finished 2006, but oh how quickly people forget earlier parts of the season.
No. 6 - Virginia Tech
Tragedy or no tragedy, this team was still going to enter 2007 as a damn good football team. Sean Glennon and Branden Ore represent the ACC's top QB-RB tandem, and the linebacker combination of Vince Hall and Xavier Adibi is enough to make any opposing offense with they were the ones in the brown pants. The Hokies travel to Death Valley twice this year - although in different states. Their matchup with LSU on Sept. 8 is the most highly anticipated game of the season, and an Oct. 6 game at Clemson will give a good indication of where this team stands in the ACC.
One more thing the Hokies have going for them? Lane Stadium. Virginia Tech has one of the most simple entrances in college football, but seeing the players crowd the claustropohic tunnel while "Enter Sandman" blares before running out with the American flag is a grand sight. The look on Beamer's face in the clip says all you need to know about his confidence at home.
No comments:
Post a Comment