College football is almost seven months away and people are already making predictions?
In his defense, Olin Buchanan writing at Rivals.com does admit early in the article that predicting National Championship teams this early is ridiculous but he does it anyway.
Still, if Georgia, LSU, USC, Oklahoma, West Virginia or Missouri were picked to reach next year's BCS National Championship Game, even the harshest cynics likely would agree those wouldn't be outlandish predictions.
But those who like to look for a solid pick with good odds, those who always are seeking the team flying just under the radar and those who love to bet on the dark horse should not forget a certain successful team in the Big Ten.
Naturally, I couldn't disagree more. Not so much because Mr. Buchanan doesn't make a couple of interesting points but because I'm a crotchety old bastard that likes to disagree.
And because I have my own dark horse to watch.
Suppose your 2007 team was supposed to be a rebuilding team and then shocked a bunch of folks by going 9-4 and winning the Gator Bowl? Then suppose that during this "rebuilding" year, you had the only team in the Big 12 to average over 500 yards offense per game? Oh yeah, and you're returning the entire offensive line that averages 6-6 and 336 pounds!
That's right sports fans, my dark horse to watch is the Red Raiders of Texas Tech. I know that it's a system offense but QB Graham Harrell runs it like a pro. Last year, with a very young team, he passed for over 5700 yards and 48 touchdowns!
What about the famously porous defense, you ask? The boys from Lubbock always have to fight that problem, but 2008 could be a turn. They actually led the Big 12 in pass defense in 2007, only allowing 196 yards per game. The six big players signed in December included five defensive players and two J-Co players who could have an immediate impact.
I realize that they have to get past Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri but this is a team that shouldn't be overlooked by anybody.
Permalink | Send To A Friend | Linking Blogs | Digg this!
Filed under:
College Football
Comments (1)
Danny:If Tech beat... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Snowman | February 28, 2008 10:27 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Danny:
If Tech beats my Aggies, I'll eat...a red cake with TT on it!
Say it ain't so!
1. Posted by Snowman | February 28, 2008 10:27 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on February 28, 2008 22:27