THE 2009 NCAA Football thread

[Florida_GATOR]

Who's it gonna be??? Who do you think is going to win the next NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP in Pasadena, California?

One of the tops? Or a unknown?

Rivals.com 2009 Preseason Top 25:

1. Florida
2. Texas
3. USC
4. Oklahoma
5. LSU
6. Ohio State
7. Virginia Tech
8. Alabama
9. Boise State
10. Oklahoma State
11. Georgia Tech
12. California
13. Penn State
14. Ole Miss
15. Oregon
16. Florida State
17. Utah
18. Georgia
19. Kansas
20. Texas Tech
21.Iowa
22. BYU
23. Notre Dame
24. USF
25. Oregon State

I think you already know what my prediction is going to be

[cow]

Realistically, I think Florida is the team to beat.

I like LSU's chances, though, assuming Jefferson plays like he did in his two starts. An unknown commodity at quarterback is a BIG question mark, but he's shown poise & composure in some pretty big situations. The last two times LSU had question marks (Matt Mauck & Matt Flynn), they won a national championship.

I love football chat threads.

[Robert Z]

"THE" University Of Florida, nothing else has to be said....

[cow]

I'll preface this statement with all sh1t-talking done in this thread is done as good fun & is not to be taken seriously.

My prediction for this year is that Tim Tebow will be reviewed as the antichrist.

[cow]

changed the title as this will be the thread for the year

[edeeZee]

USC baby. As long Pete Carroll runs this team, he's not gonna leave this school until he wins the 3rd title--which is this season!

So, there you go--in your FACES!!!

[smurfblu13]

After my years at West Virginia seeing Slaton, Devine, and White, it's funny to see them not even break the pre-season 25.

Anyways back on track. As much I hate to say it, Florida is the one to contend with. I'd like to see how USF does this year. They are always a pretty solid team not so much National Championship contenders, but they don't seem to get very much credit.

[SiXK]

This is the thread I have been waiting for.... please excuse the length but i would like to give my thoughts on the favorites as I see them...

My prediction for MNC Champ..... whenever LSU has a veteran team I cannot pick another school, makes my heart hurt. lol. So I will say that IF LSU does not win it I think it will be UF. Those two teams would meet twice if both make it to the SEC Championship game. I feel LSU has the better chance in game 1 (Oct 10 at LSU at night, attn gamblers: LSU already a 10 point home dog. ) but UF would have the better chance in game 2 if they lose game 1.

UF will be the run away pre-season and in-season favorite, as well they should. Any team returning 21 of their 22 top defenders should be ranked #1, and thats before taking into consideration that they return a heisman winner at QB. I am going to try and punch a few holes in the gators outlook, as useless as that exercise may seem to most. bottom line is the gators are loaded this year but a few things jump out at me:

• the defense was very good but benefited from an ultra high scoring offense. I saw teams able to move the ball on the gators but all too often they were so far behind that their offensive plans became desperate. In close games I am not sure this group is as dominant as some other SEC defenses have been in years past.
  
• percy harvin is gone. I read he was like 44% of the receiving and 75% of the rushing offense last year. Someone HAS to provide that production and until someone does its a question mark. Harvin was fast and special. Fast is easier to find than special.
  
• Tebow moving under center? WHY? I have heard his family asked for this, to prepare him for the NFL. And Meyer hired a QB coach mainly for this reason. I believe that to be a misguided goal. I would do what Tebow does best - shotgun, run-pass option. Let the NFL prepare Tebow for the NFL, he will be drafted high no matter what.

USC lost too much defensively IMO to realistically be considered a favorite, but with the relatively weak Pac-10 and the massive amounts of 5-star talent on hand you cannot rule them out. I do doubt Pete Carrolls ability to keep such a young team focused all year. Even his veteran teams have lost some real head scratchers (Stanford??).

Texas & Oklahoma.... Could a big 12 team get back to the Big Game? I am going to say yes, but will qualify that prediction by saying Texas must have some WRs step up, if so, not only do they have a chance, but McCoy will win the heisman IMO (its a political award process). Oklahoma lost 4 of 5 starters on the O-line, and that will present just enough of a problem to keep them out IMO.

The dark horses.....

LSU - I have to be careful here. Obviously my heart lies with LSU and I do believe they will be very good. I will try and justify that so this isn't just a homer post. LSU had two big problems last year - QB and Defense. The defense was a little bit fruit of the poisonous tree, as the QB slipped into a neverending sea of pick 6's (career NCAA record in one year) the overall attitude of the team slipped. It was very evident in the body language of the team, and their play. Jefferson, as Cow said, is poised and composed. He made very good choices for a true freshman QB who had no fall camp last year. This year hes had the spring practices and will have the fall camp, if he stays healthy he should be the game manager LSU needs as the offense is very veteran (SRs LaFell, Scott, Williams, Black, Dickson). LSU just needs a guy to distribute the ball and make the right calls at this spot. The defense will be much improved provided the DL comes through. The back seven will be really good. There is plenty of talent there but last year was a step back. Not only did Miles make a good hire with DC Chavis but Cooper (former DB coach from South Carolina) may be one of the very best in the business. great hire. the schedule - heavy with tough away games - is the Tigers biggest obstacle (besides UF). A reliable place kicker and punter must be found.

Alabama - The combination of 3 new OL plus a new QB proves too much to overcome for a MNC type of season, however incoming recruit Trent Richardson could be a difference-making type of RB. McElroy is the big question mark here and bama goes as far as he can take them. Their defense was real good (most Saban defenses are) but benefitted from the worst SEC offenses in a long time last year. Their defense may take a step back in statistics and rankings this year.

Ole Miss - LOL. HAHAHAHA. HEHEHEHE.

Penn State - don't know much about them, but I am suspect of Big Ten teams after the BCS debacles of Ohio State.

after that I just don't know.... Georgia? its just the kind of year (no hype at all) where they usually do well.

thoughts? rebukes? ....

[Florida_GATOR]

WOW! i did not expect this kind of emotion and response from this thread! I love it!

Now my predictions:

Florida has a overwheming talented team. Our Offensive line is the only thing in question but we have a number of 5-star recruits to fill the holes. The loss of Percy Harvin willnot be much of a factor on this years team. Because now we have 3 more recievers to take his place that are equally as fast and equally as dangerous. Ive personally seen and played with Andre DeBose and he has the potential to be the next crabtree. The Defence is SOLID to say the least, the returning starters and the ever so NASTY Brandon Spikes. As this might be hard to believe... i see them improving from last years team. Last, Timothy Tebow. Enough said.

LSU has very good chance of giving anyteam a run for there money. But there question at quarterback worries me. I know in the past the underrated QB has won championships, but he also had a dozen playmakers around him. I donot feel that this team has the tools to win a National Championship...Yet.

USC has a very good team. Like the last 3 years. They have a large talent pool of players. Like the last 3 years. But USC has shown me something...THey cannot get it done in the long run. Im tired of hearing every year that USC has the best team. They have had the "best" team for many years but for many years they have failed to take it to the house.

Texas has another great team. But will have to fight through there schedule to make it. If they can keep there team healthy i see them playing Florida for the title.

Oklahoma- Has lost a few playmakers, and in my mind has not made any improvments to the wholes in last years team, I just dont see them getting it done this year.

[cow]

Crap, I'm ready for the season. I'm going to LSU's first game at Washington. I've never been to Seattle, so I figured this would be a great time to visit.

[SiXK]

Have fun Cow and be safe. Thats a great road trip, I wish the we had decided to geaux, we thought about it but never made plans. May not ever see LSU geaux that far (in actual miles) again!

Here are the odds for the BCS Title from sportsbook.com:

Alabama +2000

Arkansas +20000

Auburn +20000

California +3000

Florida +200

Florida St +5000

Georgia +7500

Georgia Tech +7500

LSU +2500

Miami FL +7500

Michigan +7500

Mississippi +1500

Notre Dame +2000

Ohio St +1200

Oklahoma +600

Penn St +3000

Tennessee +7500

Texas +400

USC +700

Utah +10000

Virginia Tech +2500

West Virginia +10000

[Florida_GATOR]

WTF? lol what am i looking at? i see the good teams have a lower number, does that mean there more favored to win?

[SiXK]

Also from sportsbook.com, here are some early lines on some big games:

Visitor Spread Home

South Carolina +11.5 Georgia

USC -3 Ohio State

Notre Dame -2.5 Michigan

Tenn +24 Florida

Mich St +7 Notre Dame

Ole Miss -4.5 South Carolina

LSU +3.5 Georgia

USC -5 Cal

Florida -8.5 LSU

Georgia -3 Tenn

Alabama +3.5 Ole Miss

Texas -1 Oklahoma

USC -6 Notre Dame

Tenn +11 Alabama

Florida -13.5 Georgia

LSU +3.5 Alabama

Tenn +12 Ole Miss

LSU +3.5 Ole Miss

Alabama -5 Auburn

Arkansas +10.5 LSU

[SiXK]

Originally Posted by Florida_GATOR

WTF? lol what am i looking at? i see the good teams have a lower number, does that mean there more favored to win?

Correct. Lower number means better odds to win.

Examples:

Bet $100 on Florida to win $200.00

Bet $100 on LSU to win $2500.00

I have NEVER seen a team with as low of odds as UF has to win it this year. I have bet these types of odds a few times and won both times LSU won the title. I also bet on LSU a couple of times they did not win it. If you pick the right year it can be a big payday.

[Florida_GATOR]

ohhh ok, sounds good, my bets on UF lol