submitted by Saint Daddy, August 26, 1998
First, let me explain my answers to the pre-season questions.
Missouri will surprise. Since I was a kid (post leather helments, but face guards were new) any time Missouri has a winning record this is a surprise, and news.
Wisconsin will disappoint. As soon as Ron Dayne is rolled off the field on a strecher having torn something because he is too strong to let up, the Badgers' season is over. Only Barry Alverez could expect to get offense by making his extra defensive lineman into a tailback just because he has a great 40 time. I love Ron Dayne, and wish him well. After watching Barry disappoint several years as a Madisonian, I can no longer think he is a great coach. I am suprised he didn't find Kendra. If he had, he would be a top Big 11 linebacker.
Best conference looks like the Slack 10 this year. Now that should be the surprise, not Missouri. The Pac 10 may get six bowl teams.
We are moving to Tallahassee, so FSU has to be my pick to go undefeated longest. If Kendra can come back as fullback, FSU may come up with the first off-center dive play shovel pass to a slanting tight end. Watch for it. The ruskie of the late ninties. I wonder if Bobby has room in his coaches clinic for Barry. Barry - new term - "offense." It starts with QB.
Arizona State will win a wild Pac 10. Just needs to get its band to tighten up its defense. Need to keep the Stanford and Cal bands from scoring early. If ASU can overcome soggy field conditions outside Sunshine State West, they c o u l d g o a l l t h e w a y .
Ohio State will finally do it, beat Michigan at home. Watch for lots of articles about simiens and backs.
KSU has to be the dark horse. Can there be a darkhorse and a surprise in the same conference as Nebraska and Colorado? Sure, especially if Nebraska has a down year and loses a conference game before December.
So I am giddy. Hey, we sold our house this week. How could anything go wrong?
Top 25 Preseason:
1. FSU, see above
2. OSU, if ya pick 'em, support 'em
3. Florida, can you pick against the mild mannered Spurrier? Swamp fever - catch it.
4. Michigan. Just the OSU blemish.
5. ASU, see above
6. K State, see above
7. Nebraska, comes back after early fall
8. LSU, still cannot beat Gators
9. West Virginia, big run after OSU loss
10. UCLA, nice try
11. North Carolina, frustrated again by the 'Noles
12. Tennessee, still thinking Peyton is there
13. Arizona, always find a way
14. Michigan State, jumps into the Badger void
15. USC, unretires number 32
16. Missouri, hey, why not?
17. Washington, if ya pick the conference, put 'em in
18. Georgia Tech, polls feel sorry for the ACC being thin
19. Colorado State, Rams have folks attention
20. Syracuse, always a good bet to disappoint, again
21. Southern Miss, another pleasant surprise
22. Iowa, get votes for tradition and great coach with great shades
23. Colorado, cannot be down for long
24. BYU, this team is on a mission, or back from one
25. Penn State, just cannot keep Jopa off the list, also great shades.