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Top Five Defenses in 2010

TCU.  The Horned Frogs had the top ranked defense last season giving up just 240 yards and 12.8 points per game.  With seven starters back should hold on to the title once again.  TCU did lose All-American defensive end Jerry Hughes, but the rest of the core group returns.  Despite playing in the MWC, this is an elite defense that could compete in any conference.  TCU is poised to make another run at the BCS title game.

 

Ohio State.  Nicknamed the Silver Bullets, the Buckeyes’ defense is almost always in the top ten.  2010 will not be an exception.  Co-DC’s Jim Heacock and Luke Fickell are sitting in a rare situation – strong returning talent and depth at every position.  With Cameron Heyward, Ross Homan and Chimdi Chekwa leading the way, the Buckeyes are primed to make it to a fourth BCS title game.  If they can stay healthy, this unit might finish #1.

 

North Carolina.  No one is surprised that the Tar Heels have a fantastic defense.  HC Butch Davis produced some of the best defenses ever while coaching Miami in the 1990’s.  Davis has quickly assembled the same type of defense in Chapel Hill.  The defensive line alone is incredible.  Marvin Austin and Robert Quinn are both top ten NFL talents.  Coupled with FS Deunta Williams and LB Quan Sturdivant, NC’s defense will be tough to penetrate.  If the Heels can find an offense, they might just make a run at the title.

 

Auburn.  It seems like some team in the SEC always ends up in the top five, and this year that team appears to be Auburn.  HC Gene Chizik is a defensive mastermind, and his top lieutenant Ted Roof is a wizard.  With eight returning starters, they will produce the stout defense necessary to make a run through the SEC West.  Josh Bynes, Mike Blanc and Craig Stevens will be household names before the end of the year. 

 

Nebraska.  HC Bo Pelini has quickly turned around the Nebraska program, and despite losing Ndamukong Suh to the NFL, the 2010 Cornhuskers’ defense will be great.  They might even be good enough to officially bring back the Black Shirts.  Jared Crick and Prince Amukamura are All-American candidates, and LB Will Compton was a beast as a freshman last year.  The Cornhuskers are a favorite to win the Big 12 which means they will be in the hunt for the BCS Title game too. 

So long to Buckeye great, Oakland Raider legend and arguably the hardest hitter to ever play the game - Jack Tatum.

Where was Saban when other schools were being investigated? The issue with agents is just now becoming a problem? If you're going to turn a blind eye, at least have the decency to say you made a mistake.

Terrelle Pryor - in the Spotlight

Fresh off his 266 yards passing/72 yards rushing performance in the Rose Bowl victory over Oregon, Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor enters the 2010 season as the player to watch. Entering his junior season and third year as a starter, the expectations to deliver on his enormous hype are incredible - and fair. There is no doubt that Pryor will be the most scrutinized player in college football. 

Understandably, Pryor is being compared to Texas legend, Vince Young. Young showed tremendous promise early in his career, but he struggled in some big games.  Unfairly, Young was criticized and labeled as over-rated, and not fit to be an elite level QB.  A funny thing happened at the end of his second year as a starter, Young put on a clinic against Michigan in the Rose Bowl rushing for 192 yards and passing for 180. 

The Buckeye faithful are hoping the comparisons become a reality, and the Buckeyes bring home the championship this season.  Here are a few reasons why they might just get their wish.

The Buckeyes are loaded again this season with 15 returning starters, nine on offense.  Considering that Tressel's best offensive team finished 26th (2006) in total offense, this might be his best yet.  The only question mark is at left tackle; Mike Adams, Marcus Hall and Andrew Miller are competing for the spot.  Along with four starting OL's, Pryor has his top two WR's, Posey and Sanzenbacher, back along with RB's Herron and Saine. Pryor has playmakers in every spot to help him. 

The schedule is manageable.  There are a few speed bumps with games at Wisconsin and Iowa, and a non-conference home game against ACC favorite Miami, but the best players shine in these moments.  The Big Ten is also stronger and deeper.  Playing better competition throughout the season will force the Buckeyes and specifically Pryor to get better and stay sharp. 

The BCS title game is in Glendale.  In 98, the Buckeyes were arguably robbed of a chance to play for the title in the desert.  They won it there in 02, played there again in 03, 05, lost the title there in 06, played there again in 08.  For some odd reason, The Buckeyes shine when the prize is held in Arizona.

With a veteran cast, the spotlight will be on Pryor to bring home the crystal trophy.  All he needs to do is listen to Tressel, a master at navigating through championship runs.  This is the season they both dreamed of three years ago when he signed with OSU.  Time to go make the dream a reality.

Three SEC schools under investigation by the NCAA for rules infractions. The infractions seem minor, but once the NCAA gets involved, they start looking for other violations. Watch out.

An investigation into his program is not what Butch Davis needs heading into a year with high expectations.

The SEC Champ will not play for the BCS Title this year

Since 2006, the winner of the SEC has also won the BCS Championship.  While it may be foolish to predict anything different this season, there are clear signs that this will be the year that SEC does not get a team into the title game.  

Sign #1:  The SEC favorites, Alabama and Florida, will both have a difficult time replacing the personnel losses to the NFL. Elite programs can usually replace anyone, but Tebow, Haden, Cody and McClain were much more than just star players.  They were special leaders who frequently willed their teams to victory. These losses will cost both programs at least one game this year. 

Sign #2:  No other team in the SEC seems capable of making a run this season. Georgia and Auburn will be in the mix, but both appear to be a year away from seriously contending for the SEC title.  Georgia's defense is not championship worthy, and the Bulldogs will be starting a first year QB again – never good in the SEC.  Auburn arguably returns their best team since 2005, but the West is vicious.  Winning the division with just one loss would be a miracle.  The Tigers will be better, but their lack of depth in critical positions will cause them pain later in the season.

Sign #3:  No overwhelmingly dominant defense.  Defense is king in college football, and the play of the defensive line in particular in the SEC has been incredible the last four years. The talent is still there, but it is young and spread out among several teams. 

Sign #4:  Schedules.  Defending a national championship is difficult enough with every opponent gunning for you, but the Tide also has the task of playing six teams that have a bye week before playing them.  Coupled with road games at LSU, Arkansas and Tennessee, the path is extraordinarily tough for Alabama. 

LSU plays at Auburn, Arkansas and Florida, and they play North Carolina and West Virginia in non-conference play.  There is at least one loss in these games, likely two or three.

Florida's path is easier, but far from simple.  The Gators draw Bama and LSU from the West, and travel to Florida State at the end of the season. 

Auburn's schedule is most favorable among the SEC contenders.  They play LSU, GA, SC and Ark at home, and the toughest road game is Bama.  The schedule sets up to make the Tigers a legitimate team to win the SEC, but they'll likely have a loss or two.

Bonus Sign:  Ohio State, TCU, Boise, Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska are all good enough to finish the season unbeaten.  If two of these teams finish the season undefeated, and the SEC champ has a loss, maybe two, they'll be shut out of the title game. 

The SEC’s streak of winning the BCS Championship is pretty remarkable considering the amount of elite level teams in college football.  The run will likely end this year, but don’t expect it to last long.  Alabama, Auburn and Florida are just reloading for 2011.  

The SEC Champ will not Play for the BCS Title this Year

Since 2006, the winner of the SEC has also won the BCS Championship.  While it may be foolish to predict anything different this season, there are clear signs that this will be the year that SEC does not get a team into the title game.  

Sign #1:  The SEC favorites, Alabama and Florida, will both have a difficult time replacing the personnel losses to the NFL. Elite programs can usually replace anyone, but Tebow, Haden, Cody and McClain were much more than just star players.  They were special leaders who frequently willed their teams to victory. These losses will cost both programs at least one game this year. 

Sign #2:  No other team in the SEC seems capable of making a run this season. Georgia and Auburn will be in the mix, but both appear to be a year away from seriously contending for the SEC title.  Georgia's defense is not championship worthy, and the Bulldogs will be starting a first year QB again – never good in the SEC.  Auburn arguably returns their best team since 2005, but the West is vicious.  Winning the division with just one loss would be a miracle.  The Tigers will be better, but their lack of depth in critical positions will cause them pain later in the season.

Sign #3:  No overwhelmingly dominant defense.  Defense is king in college football, and the play of the defensive line in particular in the SEC has been incredible the last four years. The talent is still there, but it is young and spread out among several teams. 

Sign #4:  Schedules.  Defending a national championship is difficult enough with every opponent gunning for you, but the Tide also has the task of playing six teams that have a bye week before playing them.  Coupled with road games at LSU, Arkansas and Tennessee, the path is extraordinarily tough for Alabama. 

LSU plays at Auburn, Arkansas and Florida, and they play North Carolina and West Virginia in non-conference play.  There is at least one loss in these games, likely two or three.

Florida's path is easier, but far from simple.  The Gators draw Bama and LSU from the West, and travel to Florida State at the end of the season. 

Auburn's schedule is most favorable among the SEC contenders.  They play LSU, GA, SC and Ark at home, and the toughest road game is Bama.  The schedule sets up to make the Tigers a legitimate team to win the SEC, but they'll likely have a loss or two.

Bonus Sign:  Ohio State, TCU, Boise, Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska are all good enough to finish the season unbeaten.  If two of these teams finish the season undefeated, and the SEC champ has a loss, maybe two, they'll be shut out of the title game. 

The SEC’s streak of winning the BCS Championship is pretty remarkable considering the amount of elite level teams in college football.  The run will likely end this year, but don’t expect it to last long.  Alabama, Auburn and Florida are just reloading for 2011.  

The SEC Champ will not Play for the BCS Title this Year

Since 2006, the winner of the SEC has also won the BCS Championship.  While it may be foolish to predict anything different this season, there are clear signs that this will be the year that SEC does not get a team into the title game.  

Sign #1:  The SEC favorites, Alabama and Florida, will both have a difficult time replacing the personnel losses to the NFL. Elite programs can usually replace anyone, but Tebow, Haden, Cody and McClain were much more than just star players.  They were special leaders who frequently willed their teams to victory. These losses will cost both programs at least one game this year. 

Sign #2:  No other team in the SEC seems capable of making a run this season. Georgia and Auburn will be in the mix, but both appear to be a year away from seriously contending for the SEC title.  Georgia's defense is not championship worthy, and the Bulldogs will be starting a first year QB again – never good in the SEC.  Auburn arguably returns their best team since 2005, but the West is vicious.  Winning the division with just one loss would be a miracle.  The Tigers will be better, but their lack of depth in critical positions will cause them pain later in the season.

Sign #3:  No overwhelmingly dominant defense.  Defense is king in college football, and the play of the defensive line in particular in the SEC has been incredible the last four years. The talent is still there, but it is young and spread out among several teams. 

Sign #4:  Schedules.  Defending a national championship is difficult enough with every opponent gunning for you, but the Tide also has the task of playing six teams that have a bye week before playing them.  Coupled with road games at LSU, Arkansas and Tennessee, the path is extraordinarily tough for Alabama. 

LSU plays at Auburn, Arkansas and Florida, and they play North Carolina and West Virginia in non-conference play.  There is at least one loss in these games, likely two or three.

Florida's path is easier, but far from simple.  The Gators draw Bama and LSU from the West, and travel to Florida State at the end of the season. 

Auburn's schedule is most favorable among the SEC contenders.  They play LSU, GA, SC and Ark at home, and the toughest road game is Bama.  The schedule sets up to make the Tigers a legitimate team to win the SEC, but they'll likely have a loss or two.

Bonus Sign:  Ohio State, TCU, Boise, Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska are all good enough to finish the season unbeaten.  If two of these teams finish the season undefeated, and the SEC champ has a loss, maybe two, they'll be shut out of the title game. 

The SEC’s streak of winning the BCS Championship is pretty remarkable considering the amount of elite level teams in college football.  The run will likely end this year, but don’t expect it to last long.  Alabama, Auburn and Florida are just reloading for 2011.  

College Football's Conference Games of the Year

ACC

Virginia Tech vs. Miami.  The ACC has waited a long time to get a premier game between these former Big East titans. The Hurricanes and Hokies are both favorites to win the Coastal Division, and this game will likely determine the champion.  Miami will be thirsty to avenge last season's pummeling by Va Tech.  They might get it because the Hokies will be coming off back to back difficult games against Ga Tech and North Carolina.  Runner up...Florida State vs. Boston College.

Big East

Pitt vs. West Virginia.  Of course this is an easy pick, but the Panthers and the Mountaineers are the favorites, and the backyard brawl will determine the conference champion.  Pitt will be looking for their first Big East title since 2004.  Earning it at their rival's stadium would be sweet.  Runner up....South Florida vs. UConn. 

Big 10

Ohio State vs. Wisconsin.  The Buckeyes rarely play well in Camp Randall.  If they can escape with a win here, they'll be on track for not only the Big Ten title, but the BCS title game too.  Pryor worked some magic in his first visit to Wisconsin, and the Buckeye faithful are hoping he does it again.  Runner up...Wisconsin vs. Iowa.

Big 12

Texas vs. Nebraska.  The Cornhuskers came within a second of defeating the Longhorns last December to win the Big 12 title.  They'll want some revenge, and Texas might be ripe for an upset coming off their annual showdown with Oklahoma a week earlier.  The game is in Lincoln which should help, but Mack Brown usually delivers in these types of games.  Runner up....Texas vs. Texas A&M.

PAC 10

Washington vs. USC.  The former USC assistants will battle for the first time.  Sarkisian got a huge win against the Trojans last year, and he'd love to make it two in a row.  Kiffin could make an early statement that the PAC 10 title still leads through LA.  Runner up...Oregon vs. Oregon State.

SEC

Florida vs. Alabama.   Both teams will likely be undefeated heading into this rematch between the last two SEC champions.  The Tide are rebuilding their defense, and the Gators are rebuilding their offense.  The edge goes to Bama since they are playing at home, but don't be surprised if Meyer sneaks out the win.  Runner up....Florida vs. Georgia.