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| Preaseason Commentary |
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| Here we go again. I am now a seasoned veteran in the way of saging. One year has taught me much. Bank on me this year. We'll start with my Heisman thoughts. This year's horse race is tougher than recent years, as hardly anyone is sticking their necks out for the finish, and many who are have to run uphill because they're sophomores or receivers. By the way, does anyone know why this award is among the best and most interesting to follow? It's because of the disagreement in the Heisman criteria. It makes things unpredictable and interesting every year. So many people think different players are the obvious choice, because the player they have picked is the obvious winner in that voter�s specific system. Some say the Heisman should go to a senior. Some disagree, but would not vote for a sophomore. Some people say previous years' experience can be considered. Some say it should go to the best skill position player in the country. Some people say that the player had to have led his team to a great record, while others say that even the best player can only do so much in certain situations. It doesn't make sense, but the reason this succeeds is that it is not well defined. Remind me of that when I invent a sport. No more ado-ing. Invited: Phillip Rivers, Kevin Jones, Roy Williams, Cody Pickett, Ell Roberson Close But No Call: Stephen Jackson, Maurice Clarett, Anthony Davis, Eli Manning, Andrew Walter, John Navarre The Radar Club: Brock Berlin, Frank Gore, Casey Clausen, Greg Jones, Rod Rutherford, Rashaun Woods, Bruce Perry Ell Roberson wins the trophy, and it's that moment that people realize that his name is not "Eli". On to the power conference rankings! Big XII: They're number 1, bar none, for the second year in a row. Never before has a conference had three preseason top 5 teams. There are three legitimate national title contenders in Kansas State, Texas, and Oklahoma. There are three teams that would like to play the role of dark horse in Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, and Mizzou. There are the recently demoted, but always dangerous Nebraska and Colorado. The question is not whether or not the Big XII is top dog this year. The question is whether or not The Big XII this year is even better than the absolute beast it was last year. SEC: A shotgun conference that recently seems to take the back seat to the Big XII. Georgia and LSU are looking for Sugar, Tennessee is back after a season absolutely demolished by injuries and unidentifiable maladies, and no one in their right mind would look past LSU, Alabama, or even the fallen Florida. All six of these teams have potential to go BCS. Add in a few middle-range powers, such as Eli Manning's Ole' Miss, Jared Lorenzen�s Kentucky, South Carolina and even Arkansas, and you have a doozy of a conference. Did I mention Auburn? Did I mention that this was a doozy? Big 10: Ohio State has been the focus point for many, and I've seen some picking Wisconsin as a dark horse, but the real power is in a resurgent Michigan team. The pack follows closely behind the top with the likes of surprisingly strong Purdue and Michigan State, Iowa, Minnesota, Penn State, and Illinois. Good luck to everyone in an absolute Royal Rumble. ACC: This is the year for the ACC and they still can't contend. There's no real middle of the pack. Clemson? Whatever. Georgia Tech? Please. Virginia, N.C. State, Florida State, and Maryland are all extremely dangerous, but no one seems to know the hierarchy over here (Sage Joe clears things up for you later). I "Call" it a "Sweet" conference, and I'd even say the ACC has a decent chance of sending a rep to the Nokia Sugar Bowl ..... ahahahaha! Pac 10: I always like to discredit this conference because it�s hard to tell who�s the best. The teams in this conference tend to be more inconsistent than usual. However, even though it�s tough to pick the rankings in this conference, no one can deny the absolute firepower. Combine the powerful passing attacks of Andrew Walter�s Arizona State or Cody Pickett�s Washington teams with the abysmal pass defenses in the Pac 10, and watch the fireworks. Gimme some USC, Washington and Oregon State for the top, give me some Oregon, Arizona, UCLA, and Arizona State for the middle, and get outta my face. Big East: Miami, VT, Pitt: these teams have the potential to win it all. West Virginia is always dangerous, but after that it's a bit shaky. The other teams certainly have potential, but no team has the big game against Syracuse or Boston College circled on its calendar, unless it�s one of them �must win� circles. Sugar: Oklahoma-Virginia Tech Orange: Florida State-Kansas State Fiesta: Miami-Georgia Rose: Michigan-USC Oh So Close: Texas, Maryland, Ohio State, Tennessee Maryland will finish 12-1, with an impressive Peach Bowl win over LSU. Please give the Army-Navy-Air Force teams some respect. If your training on the field have no bearing on your future career or life; if your training off the field teaches you what you'll be doing to stay alive when you are sent to Iraq or anywhere else, how good would you be at football? The best players have no plan of entering the draft. They are there to serve and protect us. Go ahead and tune into that Army-Navy game this year. If I'm going to watch one game this year, it's not Florida State-Maryland or Texas-Oklahoma. It's the Army-Navy game, and although they don't care if Joe Sutton is watching their game, it's the least I can do to support them. The BCS is wonderful for the same reason that the Heisman is wonderful. Controversy makes things fun. Would college football be as fun if people didn't get to imagine certain outcomes? If Ohio State had played Iowa in a playoff, would the season have been as intriguing? No, silly. |
| Sage Joe |
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