Let me start by throwing 2 teams out there. First out of the Big 10, I offer Purdue Boilermakers. Purdue returns 18 starters out of a possible 22. They avoid playing both Michigan and Ohio State and play Notre Dame and Iowa at home with toughest opponent on road being Minnesota (who they have owned under Joe Tiller) and Wisconsin (who they owe a payback from last minute fumble ly and who are not as talented as past teams). Tiller also cracked the whip in offseason due to too many close losses in past 2 years. The second team I offer up is out of the Big 12 in Texas A & M. If they can get by Clemson early, they have enough tough games in Big 12 to get necessary BCS points. This is the third year under coach Francsione, they return Reggie McNeil and could catch both OU and Texas at the right times on schedule. Any opinions?
Kojak said:
Im going super craxy on this one but I think Penn State is the ultimate sleeper. Best D in the country, and a much improved OFfense. They can run the table here.
<TABLE class=yspwhitebg cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=ysprow1 vAlign=top><TD height=18></TD><TD noWrap>Sat, Sep 3</TD><TD>South Florida</TD><TD>3:30 pm</TD><TD noWrap>--</TD></TR><TR><TD colSpan=5 height=20> </TD></TR><TR class=ysptblthbody1><TD noWrap width="1%" height=18><SPACER height="1" type="block" width="1"></TD><TD class=yspdetailttl width="15%"> Date</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl width="25%">Opponent</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl width="15%">Time/Result</TD><TD class=yspdetailttl width="30%">Audio/Video</TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 vAlign=top><TD height=18> </TD><TD noWrap>Sat, Sep 10</TD><TD>Cincinnati</TD><TD>12:00 pm</TD><TD noWrap>--</TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 vAlign=top><TD height=18> </TD><TD noWrap>Sat, Sep 17</TD><TD>Central Michigan</TD><TD>3:30 pm</TD><TD noWrap>--</TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 vAlign=top><TD height=18> </TD><TD noWrap>Sat, Sep 24</TD><TD>at Northwestern</TD><TD>TBA</TD><TD noWrap>--</TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 vAlign=top><TD height=18> </TD><TD noWrap>Sat, Oct 8</TD><TD>(9) Ohio State</TD><TD>7:00 pm</TD><TD noWrap>--</TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 vAlign=top><TD height=18> </TD><TD noWrap>Sat, Oct 22</TD><TD>at Illinois</TD><TD>7:00 pm</TD><TD noWrap>--</TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 vAlign=top><TD height=18> </TD><TD noWrap>Sat, Oct 29</TD><TD>(16) Purdue</TD><TD>TBA</TD><TD noWrap>--</TD></TR><TR class=ysprow1 vAlign=top><TD height=18> </TD><TD noWrap>Sat, Nov 5</TD><TD>Wisconsin</TD><TD>TBA</TD><TD noWrap>--</TD></TR><TR class=ysprow2 vAlign=top><TD height=18> </TD><TD noWrap>Sat, Nov 19</TD><TD>at Michigan State</TD><TD>TBA</TD><TD noWrap>--</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
trytrytry,
You are missing 2 games on the schedule. Home to Minnesota and at Michigan. They definitely won't win at Big House. They have lost 3 in a row to Gophers and I see Purdue and MSU on road as sticking points but you are right, I have seen tougher schedules. I think it depends if we see Paterno have the guys ready like he did 5 years ago or will it be the team that finds ways to lose like last 5 years. I predict somewhere in the middle. 8-3 is my predicted record.
You are missing 2 games on the schedule. Home to Minnesota and at Michigan. They definitely won't win at Big House. They have lost 3 in a row to Gophers and I see Purdue and MSU on road as sticking points but you are right, I have seen tougher schedules. I think it depends if we see Paterno have the guys ready like he did 5 years ago or will it be the team that finds ways to lose like last 5 years. I predict somewhere in the middle. 8-3 is my predicted record.
Redeye,
I think Georgia Tech will be better than most think as many predicting 4th to 6th in division. Problem is their road schedule as they play at Auburn, VA Tech, Miami, FL, and Virginia. I think due to their schedule they are sleepers and will pull at least 1 if not 2 upsets of this group but I would think next year is a more realistic National Title chance. Their defense will be good but it all comes down to how much QB Ball steps up. I predict he will step up but they will lose a couple of nail biters.
I think Georgia Tech will be better than most think as many predicting 4th to 6th in division. Problem is their road schedule as they play at Auburn, VA Tech, Miami, FL, and Virginia. I think due to their schedule they are sleepers and will pull at least 1 if not 2 upsets of this group but I would think next year is a more realistic National Title chance. Their defense will be good but it all comes down to how much QB Ball steps up. I predict he will step up but they will lose a couple of nail biters.
My feeling on Va Tech is as follows. Yes they have the talent to win but usually teams with character flaws fall flat on their faces. Marcus Vick who is supposed to be a leader of the fb team from qb position is a time bomb ready to go off. This guy can't stay out of trouble. I predict his character flaws will show its head once again. I predict that Hokies will underacheive from their lofty expectations. I predict 8-3 or 7-4 though schedule looks doable. I predict they start off fast and fall off table in the end like most of recent Hokies teams.
What people fail to know is Brandon Kirsch was the starter before Orton and has started some during his run at Purdue. He will bring more mobility to the position which was a problem in big games. I think if Purdue gets by tough game vs ND,Wisky, and Iowa and don't overlook road game at Arizona early on they have a great chance.
