ACC - None
It's hard to have a spoiler, when the ACC doesn't even have a clear favorite. The Tech school's (Virginia and Georgia) should finish toward the top of the standings. Aside from them it’s a cluster of mediocrity. One team that might surprise a few people is Maryland. The offensive line should be one of the best in league and the receiving corps might be the fastest in the ACC. The Terps D-line should be improved and they have a plethora of athletic linebackers to play in their 3-4 scheme. Fear the Turtle in ’07.
Big Ten - Purdue
No one in the Big Ten put up more yards than Purdue last season.
But, the Boilermakers struggled to put up points at times last season mustering only a combined 20 in losses to Iowa, Wisconsin and Penn State. Don't expect them to struggle again. The offense should be nearly unstoppable with all the skill players’ back including QB Curtis Painter, wide receivers Dorien Bryant and Greg Orton and RB Kory Sheets. Purdue's defense has to create pressure up front, but the return of all four players in the secondary should help the unit. The Boilermakers host Notre Dame, Ohio State and miss Wisconsin this year. Anything less than eight wins will be a major disappointment. Big 12 - Oklahoma State
The Cowboys return a wealth of talent, including most of the skill players from an offense that averaged 35 points a game last season. QB Bobby Reid and WR Adarius Bowman are joined by a 1-2 rushing punch of Dantrell Savage (great name) and Keith Toston, who are among the fastest backs in the nation. The defense is lead by a solid group of linebackers and should be good enough to help the offense. Look out as the Horns travel to Stillwater in November.
Big East - Pitt
Dave Wannstedt has produced quality-recruiting classes, enough that Pitt should be contending with other Big East heavyweights. However, they have done anything but contend the past two years. The Panthers suffered a setback losing top wide receiver Derek Kinder to a right ACL tear. The defense should be improved, after giving up 45 or more points in Pitt's final three games last season. If Wannstedt can get this wild-card group off to a 6-1 or 7-0 start, watch out.
Pac 10 - Oregon
Since 2002, Oregon has gone 8-14 after Oct. 31. But there's reason to hope again in Eugene. The last time Oregon lost six games in a season, they responded by going 10-2 the following year. Running back's Jonathan Stewart and Jeremiah Johnson will provide a formidable punch out of the backfield. QB Dennis Dixon must mature, but he's talented enough to lead this team to eight or nine wins. Plus the Ducks get Cal, USC and Arizona State in Autzen. It's hard to phantom they won't win at least one of those games.SEC - Kentucky
The Wildcats were a surprise team last season, winning eight games and stealing the Music City Bowl from Clemson. QB Andre' Woodson had the skill set to go pro last season, but came back for his senior season. Kentucky's offense averaged 33 points a game last season, minus the three games against SEC elites, Florida, LSU and Tennessee where they put a combined 19 points. The Cats will host get to host those SEC elites this season, which means nine wins might not be out the of question.
Blogger's note: Top photo - Purdue QB Curtis Painter threw for 3,985 yards and 22 touchdowns last season. Painter, who begins the season on the Manning Award watch list, must limit his turnovers in 2007. Bottom photo - University of Oregon’s Autzen Stadium on game day, Autzen is one of the toughest places for visiting teams to play. Photos courtesy of athlonsports.com and uoregon.edu.
2 comments:
Peter, the ACC does have a clear favorite in Virginia Tech. I agree that Maryland is going to ruin the party for the rest of the ACC. Ralph recently named #19 Jordan Steffy the starting quarterback that can actually move around in the pocket and avoid the first round of pressure while distributing the ball to a veteran group of receivers. Also, look for Ralph to adopt some spread option looks and more traditional option plays to take advantage of his QB's speed and athleticism. It should certainly help his cause that Maryland is returning two outstanding runners in Lance Ball and Keon Lattimore that will undoubtedly open up the passing game a bit for the Terps.
I love the selection of Purdue to crash the Big Ten party. Had they not been the preseason Cinderella two years ago and failed miserably to live up to those expectations, they most certainly would be the trendy Cinderella pick this year. I like their offense to improve upon a productive 2006 campaign with the return of QB Curtis Painter and a group of specialists at the WR and RB position that rivals any other group in the Big Ten - Michigan included. The key to whether Purdue can pull this off is the play of their defense, which was absolutely hideous last year. When they didn't give up big points early, they were easily worn down and failed to provide opportunities for their potent offense. Thankfully last year was supposed to be a "rebuilding year" for that unit. Also, look for an offseason of extra strength training and endurance exercises to pay big dividends for PU's somewhat undersized defensive line. If this group makes an even modest improvement from last year, then Purdue will be a true Big Ten contender. I predict that an early win over Notre Dame will spark a victory over one of the Big Ten's elite programs like Ohio St. or Michigan.
I think your Oklahoma St. pick is huge for Boone Pickens and the hundreds of millions of dollars he's poured into beefing up that program. As an Oklahoma fan I'm more scared of OSU this year than Texas.
I don’t you can call Virginia Tech the clear ACC favorite. I think they are one of three teams in the top tier of the ACC. Then you have a muddled middle with about six teams plus you have three bottom feeders (Duke, NC State, UNC). Georgia Tech and Boston College have the talent to win the conference. The Hokies must play the other Tech in Atlanta to start November. Georgia Tech won in Blacksburg last year. Va. Tech does return four or five NFL caliber players, but I’m not sure that’s enough. They, like Boston College, have a recent history of underachieving especially down the stretch. Also, I’m not a believer in the crazy sports coincidences that reflect recent history. I blame the Patriots, who took the Super Bowl after Sept. 11, but everyone was on the Saints bandwagon last year after Katrina, and those same people are puffing up the Hokie football program after the school’s April tragedy. Virginia Tech has big questions at quarterback. Don’t forget Wake Forest won the ACC last year.
Going back to the Boilermakers, Purdue’s defense gave up 30 points or more in half of their losses last year. That just can’t happen again. The beginning of October is will define Purdue’s season as Ohio State comes to town and a week later they travel to the Big House to play Michigan. If Purdue splits those games, it would propel them to the top of the Big 10. I happen to agree with cfn.scout.com that Purdue’s Sept. 22 game at Minnesota is key. They have a deceptively hard non-conference schedule where they open the season at Toledo and host last year’s MAC champ Central Michigan. If the Boilermakers win at Minnesota, there’s no reason why they wouldn’t start the season 5-0 before playing the Buckeyes.
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