Enjoy!!
Jeremy's 21-25
No. 21- Louisville
I know this is insanely low for Louisville- but hear me out. Louisville could have an average season and go 12-0 with this schedule, which likely does not feature a single top 25 team from top to bottom; and it never hurts your ranking to have a player who’ll grab headlines, like quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Let’s look at 2012 for a second and forget about the dismantling of Florida in the Sugar Bowl (I’ll get to that in a second). Find me a real quality win on their schedule from 2012… I’ll wait. Six of their ten wins last season were by a touchdown or less- that’s UNC, FIU, Southern Miss, USF, Cincinnati and Rutgers. That list isn’t exactly a “who’s-who” of college football. Now let’s add in losses to Syracuse and UCONN and you tell me if this is really a Top 10 Team. Sure, you can point to the Florida win if you want but let’s be real, Florida had no interest in that game and it was apparent, as half of their defense declared for the NFL draft before the confetti fell. 2013 will be a lot of flash and hype, but the biggest tragedy is that we won’t know if it’s real or conjured up.
No. 22- Texas
We’re hearing all the right things coming out of Austin this offseason. Mac Brown has changed offensive schemes, bringing in former quarterback Major Applewhite to get the Longhorns back to the up-tempo, no-huddle attack that helped them reach the 2009 BCS Championship. UT returns a deep stable of running backs led by Johnathan Gray, who’ll run behind an offensive line that returns all five starters. Texas’ leading receivers, Mike Davis and Jaxon Shipley return, and everyone is excited about the potential of tight end MJ McFarland. All that said, there’s still a huge question mark at the quarterback position and that historically bad 2012 defense. David Ash will start the season at quarterback and the new offensive scheme should play more to his strengths. Still, it’s hard to feel confident in a quarterback that was benched in four games last season.
Despite the losses of Kenny Vaccaro and Alex Okafor, it’s hard to imagine this Texas defense not improving in 2013. The return of linebacker, Jordan Hicks will be a big shot in the arm for a defense in search of a new identity. Corners Sheroid Evans and Duke Thomas will look to fill the void in the secondary and replace the leadership and play-making left by Vaccaro.
We’ll find out early whether or not Texas is a contender or pretender starting in week 2 at BYU then home to take on an up-and-coming Ole Miss team, followed by K-State. Things are looking up for the Longhorns but I’m not sure this fan base will put up with anything over 9 or 10 wins.
Pat Fitzgerald has willed Northwestern into college football relevance and forced the B1G to take notice. The ‘Cats should be one of the conference’s best offenses in 2013, led by the zone-read tandem of Venric Mark and Kain Colter. Though Colter is a solid dual-threat option, the Wildcats must replace three starters along the offensive line, making consistent quarterback play that much more important for Colter and fellow QB Trevor Siemian.
The defense was solid last year and looks to be even better in 2013. Returning starters Tyler Scott (9 sacks and 3 forced fumbles) and Chi Chi Ariguzo (helped force 6 turnovers) lead a group that has continued to get faster and more aggressive under Fitzgerald. The schedule makes 9 wins look realistic and with Ohio State and Michigan at home, Northwestern could make some real noise in the B1G this fall.
No. 24- Miami
The Canes are trending up. Al Golden has done a great job keeping this program together under the cloud of major NCAA sanctions. Miami returns two of the best offensive players in the ACC in quarterback Stephen Morris and running back Duke Johnson, as well as six other starters on the offense including all five starting lineman.
The offense is there, but whether the ‘Canes take a significant step forward will depend on the progress of arguably the worst defense in school history in 2012. Al Golden only brings back four starters from last year’s team, but that could turn out to be a blessing. The defense will be young and inexperienced but for Miami to get back to its winning ways, the defense must improve.
The schedule sets up nicely for the ‘Canes in 2013 with their only major challenges coming from in-state rivals, Florida and Florida State. Even with losses in these games, the only other real challenge looks like a road trip to Chapel Hill, and a visit from what should be an improved Virginia Tech team. If Miami can split the Florida/Florida State games, 10 wins might not be out of the realm of possibility.
No. 25- Washington
The 2013 Washington Huskies look like the best team Coach Steve Sarkisian has put together to date. Talent wise, I think this team is capable of challenging for the Pac-12 North. The big question mark is O-Line’s health. Four starters return from last season’s team and their health and progression will be the difference between another 7-6 season- or the nine-ten wins this team is capable of. Quarterback Keith Price (when healthy) has proven to be a true talent but he has to have time to get the ball to playmakers Kasen Williams and Austin Saferian-Jenkins. Bishop Sankey led a surprising ground game with 1,439 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2012. The return of Jesse Callier should make the ground game even more dynamic in 2013.
The defense, though not great, was a breath of fresh air after years of getting steamrolled. The strength of this unit is a group of fast, hard-hitting linebackers led by sophomore Shaq Thompson. With the potential fire-power possessed by the offense, the defense just needs to be consistent and keep games close.
The schedule doesn’t do Washington any favors but returning home to a revamped Husky Stadium could provide the spark Sark needs to get this team to the next level.
Nick's 21-25
First of all I want to say Happy Birthday America! Here is my (Nick’s) No. 25-21. These are a little later than Jeremy’s, but keep watching every week for us to post our preseason top 25. I agree with Jeremy these are a total crapshoot. If I get one of these teams right to end the season I will be happy. Happy reading and make sure to check us out on twitter @kinneybrozcfb. See you next week!
First of all I want to say Happy Birthday America! Here is my (Nick’s) No. 25-21. These are a little later than Jeremy’s, but keep watching every week for us to post our preseason top 25. I agree with Jeremy these are a total crapshoot. If I get one of these teams right to end the season I will be happy. Happy reading and make sure to check us out on twitter @kinneybrozcfb. See you next week!
No. 25-Wisconsin
This team has a solid returning core of 15 starters. It has also been to three straight Rose Bowls (let’s face it last year was kind of a joke with the best team in the B1G ineligible), but that was with departed coach Brett Bielema. No way you can underestimate that loss for this Badger squad. I like incoming coach Gary Anderson and he no doubt has a lot of weapons to work with.
This team will miss its workhorse in Monte Ball who is off to the NFL with the most rushing touchdowns in NCAA history. Ball will be missed, but replacing him will be two solid rushers who combined for over 1,400 yards last season in James White and Melvin Gordon. A couple smash mouth runners and some depth on the offensive line should make the transition for Anderson a little smoother.
On defense, this team has more linemen that it knows what to do with. Its linebackers could have a good season if that plethora of linemen can keep the blocks off them. Interesting part of this team could be its secondary. Only one starter returns to this group making it very inexperienced so lookout for the Badgers to give up some yards through the air if that defensive line and linebackers cannot get to the quarterback.
Overall, I see the Badgers as a middle of the road B1G team. I think they will be bowling in Anderson’s first year as the headman but don’t expect four-consecutive Rose Bowl appearances Badger fans.
No. 24-Fresno State
I am sure this will not be a sexy pick in a preseason top 25 but this team did share the Mountain West crown in 2012. This team has a lot of weapons on offense returning and even though they lost some key players on the defense they could be just as good.
Offensively this team is stacked with MW Offensive Player of the Year returning in signal caller Derek Carr. I will be the first to admit that I was not sold on Carr a lot of last year, but after a 4,000-plus yard season and 37 touchdowns he established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the quarterback-deep MW. There are a lot of solid receivers on this team to catch balls from Carr. The two places that are still unsettled for the Bulldogs are running back and line. If the mostly new line can keep Carr upright this offense should be solid. At running back the loss of Robbie Rouse is huge and they will have to quickly find a replacement for the schools all-time leading rusher.
The Bulldog defense finished the season No. 22 in the country in total defense. When I first looked that up I was a little surprised because with such a great offense defense doesn’t usually go along with it. The Bulldog D loses only one key player in All-America safety Phil Thomas. With several All-MW players returning in both the defensive secondary and on the d-line I expect this defense to be solid again.
Overall I think this team should contend with Boise State for the Mountain West crown again. Look out for Carr to have another solid season and if they can solidify the line and running backs this offense should be solid. Defensively this team could be better than last year, if they can replace Thomas in the secondary they should be just as good if not better.
No. 23-Michigan
Let me be the first to say that the loss of Denard Robinson will probably be the best this to happen to Brady Hoke’s Wolverines. I established last year that I thought he was one of the most overrated quarterbacks (running back, players…whatever you want to call him) in the country. He made more mistakes than he did great plays during 2012. That being said I know this team has talent returning but I could not find myself putting in the top 15 like most people have been. An early test welcoming Notre Dame to the Big House will be the first major hurdle for this team.
Offensively, Devin Gardner took over for Robinson at quarterback midway through the season and proved that he was the best signal caller on the roster. Gardner should be able to make big plays again for this team but only if they can shore up a young and possibly shaky offensive line. One key returner on the offensive line is Taylor Lewan who should be an early NFL draft pick. Hoke will have to build his line around Lewan. At the skill positions, receivers and running backs should be ok. If Hoke can get the most out of true freshman running back Derrick Green and wide out Jeremy Gallon this offense should be able to make some plays.
Defensively, this team finished last season No. 13 in total defense but have a lot of holes to fill. The Wolverines have a lot of holes to fill with losses of their three best position players on the line, linebackers and secondary. But this is Michigan folks there are always some big midwestern boys to fill in on the line and at linebacker. The place I see problems is a young secondary.
I could not put this team in the top 15 like everyone else has been lately but I think they could possibly contend for a B1G Championship or at least a Championship game appearance.
No. 22-Texas
I am not really sure what to think about the Longhorns this season. As strange as it may sound I think this is a big season for head coach Mac Brown. There were grumblings last season about getting him out of there with a bad start in Austin.
The main position this team will need to figure out is quarterback. David Ash is a solid player but he was very inconsistent last season. This team has some very solid running backs led by Jonathan Gray and of course they have an excellent offensive line with all five lineman returning. receivers Jackson Shipley and Mike Davis should be able help Ash and Gray stretch the field. If this offense can find some consistency it could be solid, but a lot of that will need to come from on the play of Ash.
The Longhorn defense has some solid players returning, but will need to drastically improve from its 67th-place finish last season in total defense. The loss of Kenny Vaccaro and Alex Okafor will be tough to replace, but again this is Texas and should have some good players to back those two up. I expect the defensive line to be solid and the secondary to grow up quickly. This unit has some question marks but I think a little more consistency coming from the defensive coaching staff should help it make some strides.
I don’t see the Longhorns contending for a Big 12 Championship unless they grow up quickly and become consistent. This team has the chance to win eight or nine games, but Ash needs to play well for that to happen. This is a big season in Austin for Mac Brown so lookout for that to make an impact on how this team plays in 2013.
No. 21-Nebraska
The Huskers are coming off two very embarrassing losses to end the 2012 season. After allowing the most points in school history in the B1G Championship game to Wisconsin and then watching a close game slip away from them in the Capital One Bowl to Georgia this team needs to find itself quickly. Don’t get me wrong 10 wins and an appearance in the B1G Championship game was a good first season in the B1G, but this team has too many good players not to contend again.
Offensively, this team should be pretty set with quarterback Taylor Martinez and running back Ameer Abdullah returning. I am not a huge fan of Martinez at quarterback, but if he can get off an running against teams he can make this team very dangerous. Abdullah should be an excellent replacement for Rex Burkehead cause they shared most of the load last season anyway with Burkehead getting injured during the season. Expect Abdullah to have another 1,000-yard season behind a veteran offensive line.
The Blackshirts if they are deserved to be called that should be solid in the secondary, but that was not the issue with this team that allow 122 points over the final two games of last season. This team needs to figure out its defensive line very quickly. This is a unit that could allow some serious yards on the ground again if its line doesn’t grow up quickly.
The Huskers could make another run at the B1G Championship game but don’t expect it with games on the road at Michigan and Penn State. I see the Huskers and an eight or nine win team and second or third in the Leaders division of the B1G.
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