froginaustin
Active Member
:tongue:
Just in case anyone wants full enlightenment:
http://bleacherrepor...edition/page/92
No. 8: Texas
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
The Longhorns get the slight edge over the Sooners for me because this defense is absolutely loaded with stars.
The secondary sure is flashy, but their athletic beef up front is what gives them a tremendous shot at returning to the BCS. Jackson Jeffcoat, Alex Okafor, Ashton Dorsey and junior college transfer Brandon Moore (6’5”, 335-pounds) should be tops among front fours in the Big 12.
Texas’ secondary looks great as well thanks to the emergence from Quandre Diggs, but Kenny Vaccaro (All-American caliber) and Carrington Byndom look promising as well.
The schedule is favorable, and the backs and receiver on offense are finally legit. It comes down to David Ash and his ability to gradually improve each and every week.
If he can avoid any major issues, they should have a shot at coming close to running the table this season.
No. 7: Arkansas
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Losing your head coach well prior to the summer in Bobby Petrino surely hurt, but many believe John L. Smith can get the job.
That, of course, is because the Razorbacks have arguably the best quarterback-running back duo in college football. Tyler Wilson is a fine accurate quarterback that is loaded with the poise and moxie to lead the Razorbacks to their first ever SEC title (appeared in three title games).
Knile Davis was one of the best backs in the country two seasons ago before he needed ankle surgery last summer.
The guy is a nightmare for defensive coordinators, as he stands freakishly (6’2”, 226 pounds), but he can run in and outside the tackles with such ease. Throw in star wideout Cobi Hamilton alongside one of the best tight ends in the country (Chris Gragg), and you are looking at arguably the best offense in the SEC.
The defense, however, has always been the downfall, and it is unfortunate because they are not lacking the talent overall. Their beef up front has just been abused, and they have not been able to perform well in crucial games (see 'Bama last five years).
They have hung in there with LSU (won three of last five), but the beef up front needs to play much better.
Arkansas is are losing both edge rushers, and although it has both tackles returning, the linebackers need to play like the most underrated group in the country if it is to stand a realistic chance at winning the West.
No. 26: Oklahoma State
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Mike Gundy and his Cowboys deserve a bit higher of a ranking than this since they are coming off quite the season.
Even after losing Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon, it won’t be impossible to produce legit numbers again, offensively speaking.
Wes Lunt is a capable youngster (true freshman) that has a ton of toys to play with, thanks to Gundy’s ability to put everybody in the perfect position to shine on offense.
He orchestrates with the best of them, but running back Joseph Randle seemingly was the quiet individual that held all the pieces of the puzzle together.
His 26 TDs went unnoticed because Blackmon, Weeden and Wisconsin’s Montee Ball took most of the praise away from him.
Good thing Randle doesn’t care about anything other than winning because Gundy once again has a solid cast of receivers (Josh Stewart, Isaiah Anderson, Tracy Moore). The schedule doesn’t let up, but at least some of the tough games are in Stillwater (Texas, West Virginia).
No. 24: TCU
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Gary Patterson is always known for his defense because he has been able to put together quite the group of underrated stars. However, that defense let many down last year after losing several former stars.
Now this squad has become an offense that is able to keep pace with the best of the bunch, thanks to Casey Pachall threading the needle.
Ed Wesley had to leave the team for family reasons, but no need to panic with Waymon James and Matthew Tucker still around.
Josh Boyce leads a talented group (Skye Dawson, LaDarius Brown, Brandon Carter too) as well, but the pass defense better improve upon its No. 60 ranking (223 YPG).
No. 23: Notre Dame
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Brian Kelly would really love a BCS bid these days, but this is not the season to sit back and relax.
Thanks to a deadly schedule that many prognosticator ranks as the toughest in America (Phil Steele), the Irish will be hopeful to notch as many wins as they did last season.
They are losing their best playmaker on offense in Michael Floyd, but an improved line on top of better decisionmaking should make this offense much better than last season.
That, of course, is knowing there is some inexperience at receiver, but All-American tight end Tyler Eifert and stud back Cierre Wood should allow this team to look much better on the field than one season ago.
That team from one year ago could not do the simple things, and it cost Notre Dame dearly. Manti Te'o, arguably the best defensive player in the country, is back, but he will need a young secondary to rise to the occasion against some elite college football passers (Landry Jones, Matt Barkley).
If it can find a way to defeat one of those superstars or at least split with the Michigan schools (throw in Sparty), a BCS bowl is possible, although an eight-win year would have to be considered a tremendous season.
The future is bright, but until Kelly or a quarterback under center looks consistent, we will all have to see what drama unfolds in 2012.
Just in case anyone wants full enlightenment:
http://bleacherrepor...edition/page/92
