Ole 45 Calling It Like I See It: College Football Preview

Before we get into the College Football portion of this post let's touch on some of the events in the world of sports over the last week.

Stephen Strasburg will undergo Tommy John Surgery on Friday and will be put on the shelf for 12-18 mos. This is a huge loss for the Nationals to say the least but it could be a bigger loss for MLB. Strasburg is the rare player who is a must watch for baseball fans and casual observers alike. Strasburg will likely comeback and pitch effectively or at least recent history would suggest this but with any injury nothing is certain. It also goes to show that all the precautionary measures that are taken with young arms still cannot prevent it from occurring. On a side note it is a shame that the John's family doesn't earn any royalties for the usage of the term Tommy John Surgery.

White Sox add Manny Ramirez. It's hard to keep on living when a guy with the character and selfless personality of Manny is run out of town. Raise your hand if you honestly thought the Mannywood portion of Ramirez's career would end well. Manny will take his act and hopefully for Sox fans his bat to the Southside for a playoff push. I like the move. The Sox give up nothing other than his remaining salary. Ramirez likely gets somewhat rejuvenated which should lead to more productive AB's than the one pitch thrown out AB from Saturday. Though he won't play to the level of his fertility drug days with the Dodgers expect a hitter to plug into the middle of your lineup and produce.

Derrek Anderson and not Matt Leinart will be the starting QB to begin the season in Arizona. This has to be something more than on the field performance. Leinart has clearly been a disappointment during his pro career but has he really had a fair shake. Leinart started 11 games as a rookie and played in 12. He averaged 212 yds per game and had a QB rating of 74.0. In comparison Matt Sanchez whom by all accounts had a successful rookie season posted totals of 162.9 and a rating of 63.0. Since Leinart's rookie season and the arrival of Ken Whisenhunt, Leinart has appeared in 17 games in three seasons and only had six starts. In Whisenhunt's first season Leinart was given the starters job only to lose it to a future HOF in Kurt Warner. Excuse me if I offend one of the five fans of Anderson but he isn't quite Warner. The bottom line is Anderson has the ability to guide this team to a division crown (for the record I don't believe he will) but if this team is going to go deep in the playoffs it would take a player with the potential of Leinart to fulfill his potential.

Last Weeks Trivia Question: Three MGR's have posted over 1500 career wins to go with their 1500 hits as a player. Lou Piniella, Joe Torre, and Fred Clarke.

This Weeks Trivia Question: Five active players have over 250 career HR's to go with more than 250 SB's can you name them. For the record I correctly answered two of five.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Last week I announced my preseason Top 25. Today I will review some of the interesting teams around the country who could be considered some of the best in the country. So thank of this as my Top 25 with Others Receiving Votes Preview.

SEC

Alabama- Defending champ with 8 starters returning on offense. Loss of Ingram hurts but should be back in time for the opening of the SEC schedule. Trent Richardson would likely start for about 117 other NCAA schools. Only two returning starters on D but this is the SEC so a significant dropoff shouldn't be expected. I don't foresee another perfect season as Bama plays 6 consecutive SEC schools who will be coming off a bye week to wrap up the season.

Auburn- 15 returning starters for a 8-5 squad in 2009. SC, LSU, ARK and Georgia all come to the Plains. Showdown with Bama on 11/26 could mean a trip to the SEC Title game.

Arkansas- This years version of Ole Miss from 09 will the Hogs fare better? Arkansas is a sheik pick to represent the SEC West in Georgia come December. 17 returning starters including 10 on offense. Get Bama at home but must travel to Georgia, Auburn and South Carolina.

LSU- Could this be the deciding year in the Les Miles era. Only 10 returning starters with 6 on Offense. Played in 8 games decided by 10 pts or less last season posting a 5-3 mark. Offense really needs to improve because last seasons 16.2 PPG allowed on D likely won't be repeated.

Miss St- I really like this squad to surprise some people this season a 5-7 campaign last season was highlighted by a narrow defeat to Florida and a win over Ole Miss. 14 returning starters with 7 on O and 7 on D. Typical tough schedule facing Auburn, Georgia and Ark at home and LSU, Florida and Bama on the road. Look for a upset amongst these contest.

Florida- 11 returning players but not a one is related to Jesus Christ. Brantley must replace a legend while the offense should look unlike any version of a Urban Meyer Offense we have seen. College Football game of the year could be Oct 2 when the Gators travel to Bama. Must replace four of 5 OL will not run the table.

Georgia- Richt has had his most successful teams when he came into the season under the radar. This squad returns 15 players with 10 on offense but the replacement is at QB. Avoid Bama but must travel to Aub, and SC. Look for the Bulldogs to upend the Gators at the Cocktail Party.

South Carolina- 16 returning starters could result in the best Spurrier team while in Columbia. Offense must improve on the 20.6 PPG from last year. Get ARK and Bama at home but travel to Auburn and Florida.


Big 12

Oklahoma- Very few 8-5 teams warrant a first place vote on a preseason poll such as Oklahoma. 13 returning starters with 8 on offense. Favorable schedule with only Texas appearing between them and a perfect season. Inexperienced secondary could be a concern but playing in the Big 12 provides room for error.

Texas- Unlike Oklahoma it's Texas's Offense that is rebuilding with only 5 starters returning. Texas is replacing 3 of 5 OL and lose a QB named McCoy. Two toughest games are Oklahoma and Nebraska and are played back to back but a bye week is in between.

Texas AM- This could be Mike Sherman's make or break year. 16 starters return with 9 on D. Tough schedule as they get Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska with Arkansas with a Non-Conference game.

Nebraska- A preseason Top 5 in many polls but I'm not quite sold. Offense was really bad at times last season although they do return 9 starters. Avoid Oklahoma and get Texas at Home.

Missouri- The only marginal threat to Nebraska in the North. 8-5 mark last season and 16 starters return with 8 on both sides. D needs to improve on the 25.4 pts allowed to really be a contender.


Big 10

Ohio State- 9 starters return from a 11-2 Rose Bowl Championship squad. The Buckeyes must travel to Iowa and Wisconsin who look to be the biggest threats on the schedule. Don't sleep on the Wolverines in the final game.

Iowa- Only 6 returning starters from a offense that wasn't great last season. D needs to better the 15.4 PPG mark from last year to obtain a Big 10 title. Get PSU, OSU and Wisconsin at home.

Penn State- Antoher 11-2 Big 10 school from last season. PSU must replace Clark but Royster returns for his SR season. Brutal road schedule includes trips to Alabama, Iowa and Ohio State.

Wisconsin- This conference is going to be really good this year. Wisconsin returns 10 starters from a offense that averaged over 30PPG last season. 5-2 mark in games decided by 10 or less could suggest a fallback from last seasons 10-3 record.

Michigan- Could be the most intriguing team in the Big Ten in terms of what to expect. Year three was the target season to contend. 15 starters return and the road schedule includes trips to Notre Dame, Ohio State and Penn State.


ACC

Miami- Only 13 starters from a 9-4 season last year but Jacory Harris is a difference maker on offense. Three of 5 OL are new. Will find out in Week two how legit the Canes are when they travel to Ohio State.

Virginia Tech- Like Miami we will find out early how the Hokies fare Nationally as they open the season against Boise St.

North Carolina- My pick for the ACC. Return 19 starters with 10 on offense and a slew of first rd caliber defensive players. Still competition in Week 1 also facing LSU in Atlanta.

Georgia Tech- Paul Johnson could be the best coach in the country. Any doubts that the Option could still be effective in a major conference were answered last season. Only 6 starter return on offense. How quickly can the Wreck rebuild?

Florida State- Every year we hear about the talent level and how this is the rebound year. Nine starters including Ponder return so 2010 could be the year. I'll buy it when I see it.


Pac-10

Could be the most wide open conference with 7 teams who could win the title.

USC- Still loaded with talent but depth could be a concern. Only 10 starters return with five on both sides. Four new members in the secondary could spell disaster in the Pac-10.

Oregon- 17 starters from last seasons Rose Bowl squad. Must replace Massoli but keep in mind he was 4th on the depth chart last season to begin the year. Translation it's the system more than the player. Could be the most exciting offense to watch as a fan.

Arizona- Offense should be good but D could use some help with only five returning starters. Brutal schedule with road games at Stanford and Oregon and home contest against Iowa, Cal, Oregon State, Washington and USC.

Cal- Fourteen returning starters with 8 on Offense. Senior Leadership at the QB position makes Cal a under the radar threat.

Oregon State- Mike Riley always seems to put together a strong squad by years end can he begin in September? Fifteen starters but must replace QB in a league driven by QB play.

Stanford- Loss of Gerhart will change their offensive mindset. Of course the transition is made easier with Andrew Luck at the realm.

Washington- In the league of QB's Locker could be the best. Two and Four mark in games decided by 10 last season suggest a better outcome could happen this season.


Big East

Easily the worst major conference in the country.

Pitt- Favorites to win the league despite returning only 11 starters from last year. Must replace QB and 3 of 5 OL.

WVU- Noel Devine could be the league's best player. Even despite a new QB the production should be better than Brown last season.

UC- 12 starters return from the BCS squad of last season. Collaros could put up some huge numbers this season.

USF- Return 10 starters on offense this year and should avg over 30PPG on the offensive end. Play Florida, WVU, UC and Miami on the road.

UConn- Randy Eadsell is a excellent coach and will be a top candidate for some major job in the next two seasons. UConn returns 16 starters with 8 on both sides of the ball. They don't seem to be a major threat on the league crown which means they are a threat to take the leauges top honors.

NON BCS and INDEPENDENTS

Boise State- Never has a Non-BCS school had such a high ranking to begin the season. Typically Boise has one circle game but this year they will face both the Hokies and Beavers in a four week stretch. If this team runs the table they will be in the title game unless Tech and Oregon State turn out to be poor squads.

TCU- If Boise can't live up to the challenge perhaps the Horned Frogs can do it. TCU returns 16 starters with 9 on offense. Unlike Boise St. they don't have that circle game.

Houston- Not in the same league as TCU or Boise St. but do have a shot as a BCS buster should they run the table which would include wins over UCLA, Texas Tech and Miss St.

Notre Dame- Perhaps the most unknown team in College Football. I would not be surprised at all if this team went 6-6 just as I wouldn't be surprised if they posted 10 Wins. Kelly has done wonders in short periods at UC and Central Michigan. Michael Floyd WR and Kyle Rudolph TE could be the best at their positions in the country.