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Jeremy's
No. 15- Michigan
2013 marks
the end on one era and the beginning of another for the Wolverines. With the graduation of quarterback Denard
Robinson, Michigan can pretty much put the RichRod era in the rear-view
mirror. Devon Gardner steps in a
quarterback and seems to fit the mold of what Brady Hoke and Co. want out of
the position. While still a solid
athlete, Gardner is a much more refined passer than Robinson and will be much
more effective working from under center.
The quarterback position is set, unfortunately, the rest of the offense
is a bit in flux. Tackles Taylor Lewan
and Michael Schofield are solid but the middle of the line is a little
unsettled. There is some talent at
receiver but no stand out playmaker for Gardner to lean on when a play needs to
be made. The situation is much the same
at running back. Toussaint Fitzgerald
played well when healthy last year, but a broken leg ended his season early and
sidelined him through the spring.
Al Borges has his hands full with the defense this year. The Wolverines finished 13th in total defense in 2012 but it seems unlikely they’ll be that good again this year. Last year’s leading tackler, Jake Ryan suffered an ACL injury in the spring and will miss the 2013 season causing a ripple effect at linebacker and defensive end. Though two other starters return at LB, they’re going to be thin at the position. The defensive line should be solid up the middle with Quinton Washington and Jibreel Black but the pass rush could be an issue. The secondary must replace both corners but the return of Blake Countess from and ACL injury should make that less of an issue.
Michigan’s progress is evident but better their 8-5 mark from last year will be a challenge. They’re set at quarterback and that will make a big difference. That said, the Wolverines have their work cut out for them. They get Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State at ‘The Big House’ but even at home, that’s no picnic. Couple that with the fact that they’re at Penn State, Michigan State and Northwestern and it looks like Michigan may be a year away from really contending for the B1G.
No. 14- Oklahoma
We’ve seen a lot of the “Bell-dozer” as a runner but the junior has attempted a total of 16 passes in his time at Oklahoma. Bell is competing for the starting job with RFr. Trevor Knight and So. Kendal Thompson and Stoops says a starter will be named when one wins the job. The fact that one of these guys didn’t settle the dispute in the spring is a little unsettling. Whoever wins the job will get some relief from a deep stable of running backs led by Damien Williams (946 yds and 11 TD’s) and Brennan Clay (511 yds and 6 TD’s) and a solid set of receivers. The line returns four starters from 2012 and the Sooners will need to lean on a solid line and ground game while the qb position develops.
The Sooners traditionally strong defense was a liability last year and really struggled as the season wore on finishing 64th in total defense. That’s not going to cut it if the Sooners expect to win the Big 12 this year. The offenses in the conference are getting more and more explosive and with an inexperienced quarterback, more will be expected of Mike Stoops defense. Only four starters return from 2012 and there are some good players here, but they’ll have to get up to speed in a hurry for the Sooners to have a chance in this conference.
With all the
inexperience OU will have to grow up quick as the schedule looks daunting. A week 2 visit from West Virginia will test
the defense early and a three game stretch at Notre Dame, versus TCU and their
annual game against Texas will be a big challenge. The Sooners will finish 2013 with many of the
same challenges they faced on the schedule in 2012. The final month of the season has OU on the
road at Baylor, at Kansas State and at Oklahoma State… yikes.
No. 13- Oklahoma State
The question for the Cowboy’s won’t be whether or not they can score points. The question, once again is will they be able to stop anyone. Oklahoma State was 82nd in total defense last season and 72nd in scoring defense, giving up almost 30 points per game. They were especially bad in game against Arizona, Texas, K-State, Oklahoma and Baylor where they simply could not come up with stops giving up an average of 47.2 points and 531 yards. New defensive coordinator plans to increase the intensity and aggressiveness of the 2013 version and there are some nice players to work with including DT Calvin Barnett, DE Tyler Johnson and S Lyndell Johnson.
With no clear-cut number one, things seem to be in place for Oklahoma State to take the Big 12. Their schedule might be the easiest in the conference as they get K-State, TCU, Baylor and Oklahoma in the friendly confines of Boone Pickens Stadium. If they stay healthy at quarterback and the defense comes together the conference and more are there for the taking for the Cowboy’s.
No. 12- TCU
Since Gary
Patterson arrived 14 years ago, the name of the game for TCU has been defense. A young unit that returns nine starters
played well last year leading the league in total defense and rushing defense
(nationally they finished 35th in scoring defense and 18th
in total defense). The youth of last
year should give way to major talent and experience this year. There are potential All-Americans in So. DE
Devonte Fields (10 sacks) and Sr. CB Jason Verrett (63 tkls and 6 INT). TCU returns, perhaps it’s deepest LB corps in
recent memory and it should be a good one, led by Loel Hasley and Deryck
Gildon.
The schedule is going to be a challenge for
the Horned Frogs any favors as they open with LSU and must go on the road for
Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and K-State but I think this team is ready to compete. Conference title… why not?
No. 11- Florida
The Gators
owe their 11 wins in 2012 to a defense that literally won games for them. Ranking 5th in total defense and 3rd
in scoring defense, Florida beat its opponents into submission. Though they should be solid in 2013 they lost
a lot of talent to the NFL (five of their top six in tackles) and a repeat of
last year’s dominance seems unlikely.
Gone are Sharrif Floyd, Omar Hunter and Lerentee McCray up front. They also must replace leader Jon Bostic and
his running mate Jelani Jenkins at linebacker.
Losing safeties Matt Elam and Josh Evans leaves major holes in what was
one of the best secondary’s in the country.
Despite the losses, there is still great talent here with Dominique
Easley, Marcus Roberson and Purifoy and Florida usually has a 5-star recruit
waiting in the wings.
With the big
question mark at quarterback and the turnover on defense, it seems likely for
the Gators to take a step back this year.
Florida will need their youngsters to grow up fast with a week two trip
to Miami. Road games at LSU and South
Carolina will be tough, as will their annual neutral-site with Georgia. Their home slate is a little easier but they
do host a pesky Vanderbilt team and “That Team Up North” (FSU) could have a lot
to play for by the time their Nov. 30 matchup rolls around.
Nick's
Nick's
No. 15-Northwestern
I
know a lot of you maybe looking a this ranking very skeptically, but I really
like what Pat Fitzgerald has done with this team in the past seven years. The
Wildcats have a very favorable first four games of the season before a major
showdown with Ohio State on Oct. 5 in Evanston. The only tough conference game
on the road for this team is a date in Lincoln with Nebraska on Nov. 2. The
Cats final two home games are both Michigan and Michigan State, which are
winnable if they can get on a roll. I think this team has a chance this season
in the B1G.
The
Wildcats return eight starters from the 2012 team that finished top 20 in
rushing on the season and top 50 in scoring offense. This team has every skill
player back including quarterback Kain Colter, who will share time with Trevor
Siemian. The best player returning on this offense is Venric Mark at running
back who led the B1G in rushing last season with 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Expect the same this season. All three receivers return for this team led by
senior Rashad Lawrence. The Wildcats line is going to be the question mark on
the team with just two returning starters. If this offense can over come some
questions on the line it could have another solid rushing season.
On
defense, the Wildcats return seven starters from a top 30 scoring defense and
top 50 ranked total defense. Defensive end and B1G sack leader Tyler Scott
leads a defensive line that will welcome two new faces. Junior Sean McEvilly
anchors the middle of the line at tackle. The linebackers of this team are very
deep with leading tackler senior Damien Proby returning, followed by Chi Chi
Ariguzo who had 10-plus tackles for loss last season. The secondary of this
team is a little young but returns three starters from last season and should
be able to mess just fine.
I
like the way this stacks up this season with 15 returning starters from a team
that won 10 games. This teams toughest games all are at home and with some luck
this team could be making a run at a B1G title. Not ready to call it for them
yet, but I think with some luck it could happen.
No. 14-Texas A&M
I
am sure I will get some hate-filled comments for this one, but I am just not
ready to call this team a top-10 squad. It lost 14 starters from last season
including six on offense. This team has a pretty favorable schedule hosting
Alabama, but it being the third game of the season it will depend on which team
is ready to go. And be ready to bet that The Tide wants revenge for last
season. A tough trip to Death Valley on Nov. 23 is also another big game on
this teams schedule.
I
am not sure if Johnny Manziel can replicate his miracle season from a year ago.
I will give it to him no doubt he is one of the best players in the country,
but I don’t want to underestimate the loss of Luke Joeckel at tackle. Manziel
will have a great season there is no question, but not another Heisman run. The
load of this offense will have to be carried by Manziel, senior running back
Ben Malena and receiver Mike Evans. Returning on the line is all-world tackle
Jake Matthews along with junior guard Jarvis Harrison. The Aggies will have to
replace the complete right side of the line and center. I think they should be
able to do that, but some young faces at the skill positions are going to have
to step up.
Not
sure what to think about this teams defense since it was a little better than
average last season (57th in total defense) and lost seven starters
from that squad. There are eight upperclassmen returning including senior nose
guard Kirby Ennis, and senior linebacker Steven Jenkins. This team has a very
quick secondary with solid safeties Howard Matthews and Floyd Raven. The Aggies
defense should be ok stopping the pass but when it comes to the run against
some of the big boys not sure if I see it.
I
know this is probably a little low to rank this team to start the season, but I
just cannot rank them in the top 10. Manziel’s childish offseason has made me a
little wary of anointing him as the best player in college football. I think
Texas A&M has a really good chance to make some more early noise in the
SEC. I just think this teams schedule with an early date against the Tide will
be tough to over come.
No. 13-TCU
TCU
could be the best team in the conference, but it depends on how quarterback
Casey Pachall can handle himself in his return to the team. The other test for
this team is an opening contest against LSU and tough conference games on the
road against Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Kansas State. If the Horned Frogs can
make it through some tough road games they could be hoisting the Big 12 Championship
in December.
The
return of Casey Pachall from drug and alcohol rehab is the number one story
line for this team on offense. He has some serious weapons returning in running
back Waymon James and receivers Brandon Carter and LaDarius Brown. Those three
should give him a lot of options to spread the ball around the field. With
three upperclassmen including both tackles and center Eric Tausch returning on
the line they should be able to open some holes for James and keep Pachall off
his back. The problem with this line is some inexperience at the guard
position, but I don’t see that as a major problem as long as the tackles and
center can keep this a cohesive unit.
Look
out for this team on defense. If Pachall and the offense can put up even 10
points in most games that should win them some games. Shocker that Gary
Patterson has another solid defense, right? The Frogs return nine starters from
last season. They have three starters back on the line and will be starting
senior Jon Koontz at one end so there will be no experience lost there. Juniors
Joel Hasley and Marcus Mallet should be fine handling this 4-2-5 defense from
the linebacker position. The Frogs five defensive backs are led by senior Jason
Verett who will be an early round NFL draft pick in 2014. This unit is one of
the best in the country and I expect them to play like it to start the season.
There is no defense in the conference that is better than this one and they
should be top five in the country in all major categories by the end of this
season. This could very well be the best defense in the country come years end
also.
If
TCU can some how find a way past LSU in Cowboys’ Stadium to open the season,
look out that could be the spark they need to win their first Big 12
Championship. Some tough road conference games will really force this team to
show its grit, but they are my early favorite for the Big 12 title.
No. 12-Florida State
This
is about middle of the road for where the Noles have been picked this season,
but I think they have the opportunity to win another ACC crown. The real bumps
in the road on their schedule could be a trip to Clemson and Death Valley on
Oct. 19 and a date in Gainesville at Florida on Nov. 30. If they can get
through that game they could be on their way to their second-consecutive ACC
title.
Offensively,
the loss of quarterback E.J. Manuel will be difficult to overcome, but redshirt
freshman Jameis Winston looks like he has the ability to easily to step in and
take the reins of this program. Helping Winston will be all upperclassmen
returning at the skill position led by senior wideout Greg Dent and junior
Rashad Greene. Running backs Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. are studs
running the ball and should take some pressure off Winston. The offensive line
is very experienced with four returning starters. The road graters should open
up some big holes for Freeman and Wilder and keep Winston clean to get the ball
down the field. I like the way this offense shapes up and I expect it to be top
20 if not better this season.
The
Noles defense is solid a lot of the great prospects Jimbo Fisher signed in his
first couple years are now juniors and seniors and should anchor this defense.
The leader of this defense will be will be corner Lemarcus Joyner and he will
lead one of the nations best secondaries. The secondary is super fast and hard
hitting. The line will be all new players, but with two seniors in Dan Hicks
and Demonte McAllister they should be just fine experience wise. Sophomore End
Mario Edwards is a stud and could have a breakout season. At linebacker senior
Christian Jones will lead the group and has a chance to lead one of the nations
best defenses. Even though the Noles will be breaking in some new players on
this defense it will still be a top 10 defense again if not the best in the
country.
I
like the way the Noles schedule sets up this season and a win in Death Valley
and a win at Florida to end the season could put this team in the running for
the national title. If Winston can have a solid season and quarterback and if
the defense can play like it is capable watch out this could be a very
dangerous squad.
No. 11-Florida
I
teetered back and fourth putting the Gators in the top 10, but with an offense
that really struggled last year and a defense that lost seven starters I just
could not do it. The Gators schedule is a bear also with road tests at Miami,
LSU and South Carolina and a neutral site game against Georgia. The home
schedule is pretty easy with only one tough game against Florida State.
Offensively,
the Gators welcome back junior quarterback Jeff Driskel who had a solid
sophomore season and should be able to make some more strides in his junior campaign.
Running backs Matt Jones and Trey Burton should be solid for the Gators with
Jones getting the majority of the carries. Receiver Quinton Dunbar will lead an
inexperienced group of wide outs. The offensive line is very solid and experienced
and should be fine keeping holes for Driskel, Jones and Burton.
On
defense the Gators should be top 15 at least but have some holes to fill.
Senior Dominique Easley should lead the defensive line as three new players
will step in around him. Juniors Nerion Bell and Michael Taylor will lead a new
set of linebackers, but both of those players have solid game experience.
Florida has two great corners in Marcus Roberson and Loucheiz Purifoy, but the
rest of its secondary is a little unproven.
Overall
I think the Gators have a really great chance to contend for an SEC title, but
with such a tough road schedule I do not see it this year. I expect another top
10 finish and 10-win season, but I don’t see the Gators player in Atlanta for
the SEC title or in the Rose Bowl for the National Title.
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