The 64/60 takes a look at the Preseason Top 25 and break down each team with a simple overrated, underrated, of about right.
1. Oklahoma. About Right. Two things concern me with this team, from a talent standpoint there second to none however poor tackling on defense and poor execution in the Red Zone done them in on multiple occasions last season and to me that is more personality than scheme therefore much more difficult to correct.
2. Alabama. About Right. Defense will be a Top 5 unit in the country if not the best. Another squad loaded with talent. Inexperience at QB and losses of two huge playmakers could make a perfect SEC season difficult.
3. Oregon. Overrated. I'm as big of a Chip Kelley supporter as anyone so despite a overhauled OL the offense should have little problems. Defense however is a different story only 5 returning starters in a improved Pac-12 will lead to a conference loss or two.
4. LSU. About Right. Another squad loaded with talent and has the most returning experience among the SEC's elite. Problem is one of these returning players is the all important QB who went thug midweek at a bar named Shady's which tells you all you need to know about his leadership thus perfection isn't in the cards.
5. Boise State. About right. This team won't be as good as the 2010 version yet they may be able to finish what the 2010 squad couldn't. The difference between a perfect season or one loss will be the opener vs. Georgia in neutral, ha ha, Atlanta.
6. Florida State. Overrated. It seems for the last 6 years all I have heard coming from Tallahasse is how the Seminoles have there most talented team since the Bowden heydays. Yet every year they seem to be a 7-9 win squad that find ways to lose more then they do win. They won 10 games last year with a multiple year starter at the helm. This year you get a unseasoned Emanuel leading the way. They may win the ACC but 8 W's sound more realistic then double digits.
7. Stanford. Overrated. The QB is certainly the most important position on the football field and no one since Tenn. in Manning Sr. year has had a better QB under center then these Cardinal to start the season. Problem is Stanford isnt' the type of program that can reload limited returning starters on both sides will make Stanford return to being Stanford with a great QB which should equal 8-9 Wins.
8. Texas A&M. Underrated. Plenty of returning starters for a very strong team to finish out 2010. Favorable Big 10, or 12 for the mathematically challenged conference, schedule bring Texas and Oklahoma State to College Station and A&M handled the Sooners rather easily last season albeit at Home. I like the Aggies to have double digit Wins this season.
9. Oklahoma State. About Right. Offense will be among the countries best but will need to outscore people to win as the D only returns 5 starters from a middle of the road unit last year.
10. Nebraska. About Right. In a down year for the Big 10 Nebraska appears to be the best overall unit yet double digit wins could be a challenge.
11. Wisconsin. Overrated. Just not enough coming back for this team seperate themselves from the rest of the Big 10 this year.
12. South Carolina. Underrated. Given the difficulty of the SEC this could easily be where they end up come seasons end. However from a talent standpoint this is a Top 10team. Garcia's experience along with Lattimore and Jeffrey make SC the best offense in the SEC.
13. Virginia Tech. Underrated. From a talent standpoint this is about right however the ACC is even more pedestrian than normal and they avoid the preseason number 1 from the ACC, Florida State, until the ACC Championship. Could easily play the entire season having faced only two top 25 teams.
14. TCU. Overrated. Another school that despite their tenure of success still can't just reload in my opinion. 8 Returning starters is all they have and road trip's to Baylor, AF, SDSU and Boise will likely result in a two loss season for a Non-BCS school.
15. Arkansas. About right. A improved defense should aid the offense while they get their feet wet in the early going. As always Petrino will get things going but won't have the talent to match last seasons double digit win total.
16. Notre Dame. Underrated. Call me a homer if you want but your the idiot. Kelly is about as good as they come with the offense and Floyd, Reddick, and Wood could be the most explosive Irish trio since the Holtz era. Defensively they should be among the Top 10 units in the country. Their schedule is respectable yet managable.
17. Michigan State. Overrated. Just don't see MSU being better than a 7-5 football team. From a talent standpoint they should be near the top of the Big 10 yet road trips to four top 30 teams could mean trouble.
18. Ohio State. About Right. From 15-25 your looking at ________ fill in the blank with 8 Win major conference teams. OSU seems to fit that requirement.
19. Georgia. About Right. The development of Murray will determine the 2011 season for the Bulldogs. Performed well last season as a Freshman but the loss of AJ Green will certainly ratchet up the pressure.
20. Mississippi State. Underrated. A Top 4 to 5 team in the SEC will be better than a Top 15 squad at seasons end. I look at MSU and see them behind only Bama, LSU, South Carolina and.......
21. Missouri. Overrated. Is there a bylaw in the AP voting that states a 10 W team from the year before has to be Preseason Top 25 the next? Mizzou has been relevant under Pinkel on two occasions and both times he had a experienced signal caller under center.
22. Florida. Underrated. (cont. from 20) Florida. The talent is certainly there and though it's hard to improve coaching from Myer I believe Muschamp and Weis will make a excellent duo and I will guarantee the offense will be much better in 2011 compared to the mess that was 2010. A tough schedule will make the road difficult but I would not be shocked if the Gators crashed the BCS party.
23. Auburn. Overrated. Is there a bylaw in the AP voting that states a National Champion must be ranked among the Preseason Top 25? The answer has to be Yes if Auburn managed to accomplish this in 2011. Six returning starters in the best conference in America will not cut it. If Chizik manages to win 7 games he should get coach of the year.
24. West Virgina. About Right. Though I have Pitt as the best in the Big Least someone from the conference has to be ranked.
25. USC. Underrated. Barkley could easily be the second best QB in the country and despite the NCAA sanctions Al Davis's favorite son has still brought in some good recruits. The well isn't as deep as in the Carrol era but it's USC and it's a solid Pac 12 which could be the second best conference in America in 2011.
3 comments:
lsu vs boise for all the marbles come national title time.
i believe the ncaa owes schools like boise and tcu, and this year when boise is undefeated at seasons end and the only other undefeated is lsu they wont have a leg to stand on not giving the pride of idaho a shot at the glass ball.
If Oregon is 'overated', and I am not arguing either point here, but shouldn't one of the other top 5 teams be 'underated', rather than 'about right'? I mean if #3 is overated, then #4 or #5 should be underated. Or else, accordingly, there is no number 3 team in America, just a big, gapping, void of nothingness where # 3 should be.
I see your reasoning and it certainly makes sense. But here is my thought process on Oregon specifically. To me the No. 3 team in the country is vying for the National Championship from Week 1 going forward throught the season. I see Oregon as a two loss squad who creeps inside the Top 10 toward the end of the season. Therefore in my opinion the No. 3 spot seems a little lofty. Then again I could just be a idiot since I have them at 5 in my preseason poll so go figure.
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