As we enter the 2006 season, we emphasize the following point:
Change.
That is, the more teams change, the more they stay the same. Ohio State, the top team in our preseason rankings, lost their entire backfield. But they have weapons replacing them that will more than replace Elmer Tennell and JC Neumann. Georgia lost all of their weapons from their national title run a year ago. That includes #1 overall pick, RB Jared Binagman. But behind top recruit Artrell Pierson, the Bulldogs have a great chance to repeat. Florida State lost Heisman Trophy winner, QB Ronde Samuels. But, with Bracy Tolhurst replacing him, things are looking up for the Seminoles in the Sunshine State. These are just a few of the storylines heading into this season, which should be a most interesting one from start to finish.
Five Questions with Joe Simpson
1. Which conference will be the most hotly contested? The Big Ten. Ohio State, Penn State, and Michigan are all neck and neck, I think, in terms of talent. Ohio State had to replace a lot of top players, but they did that...as well as bring back the best defensive player in the conference in linebacker Austin Leaverton. Penn State has the most explosive offense outside of Florida State, led by Heisman frontrunner, QB Sage Stith. The team got creative, converting Max Dixon to wide receiver and bringing in top RB prospect Raymont Neubert to lead the show. Their defense is one of the most underrated in the nation, led by Vinny Anderson and Ricky Taputu. Michigan has Rae Hendrickson, who in my view is good, but not quite on par with the top backs in the nation. They also have QB Marquand Groom, who should be better than last year's starter, Mick Zeno.
But they aren't the only ones who can win the Big Ten. Wisconsin, Purdue, and Minnesota all have great chances. Wisconsin had the a top-three recruiting class, and while they'll be young, Deverin Liske can lead them to the Promised Land. Purdue hopes to have QB Homer Piertosante for a full season; if they do, count on them to be in the thick of things for the entire trek. And Minnesota lost state hero Art Webb, but they return June Grant and a solid defense, one capable of shutting down any team on any day.
2. Can any team in the Big East contend for the national title? This conference got a bad rap last year, though Pittsburgh and Louisville demonstrated just how good they can be on a national level. This year, I think it's Syracuse's turn. The Orange are solid, have a star in QB IM Dressel, and are capable of beating anyone. Pittsburgh is also capable of playing some top notch football, but I don't think they have quite the defense needed to be a national title player.
3. Is USC going to walk away with the Pac 10? Yes. They are that good. They're still young, mind you...but nobody in the conference has the experience they have, on either side of the ball. Jamar McCloughan is a Heisman candidate at quarterback, and Lake Kotite is a Bednarik contender at DT, as is CB Jamel Prefontaine. They have the best special teams in the nation. I don't think anyone in the Pac 10 is capable of contending with Southern Cal. The best bets are Oregon State and Washington State. Oregon State needs Van Bunch to be LeRoy Keithley, and be him quickly...and the Cougars are too young, I think, to really contend with a team that's as good as USC. Cal has an outside chance, but I don't think they can get into a track meet with USC and win. I think that's what USC is capable of, and very few teams in the nation can run up and down the field with this outfit.
4. Will Josh Schaefer rebuild Notre Dame into a dynasty? The former Nebraska coach is off to a good start, with that recruiting class. If this is what Schaefer is able to bring to the table...bringing the nation's top recruiting class in with an already young team...he's got a great nucleus. Players like RB Brett Baniewicz, DE Rosey Gannon, and K Edward Orduna will make instant contributions to the Irish. If Schaefer and his staff can coach them up, and turn them into stars this year, he's going to turn Notre Dame into a dynasty. Mark my words. Kids are going to want to sign with Notre Dame early and often, for a chance to win national titles and do it with the best players in the nation. That's what Schaefer has started in South Bend, and I don't think it's going to stop anytime soon.
5. Who is this year's Minnesota? Who will ascend above anyone's expectations, and make it deep into the national title playoffs? I have ties to Central PA, so this may come off biased...but Penn State has all the weapons for a run deep into the playoffs. After that, I like Texas Tech. They have stars at QB and RB, and Shayne Gabriel is the kind of player who can go off like Marion Songin did a year ago. Miami is another team I really like. They have a solid defense, a star at QB in Yo Rizzo, and enough playmakers to win the ACC. Once they get into the playoffs, it's anyone's ballgame.
Bonus: Are there any mid-major teams that have the ability to get deep into the playoffs? Fresno State comes to mind, first and foremost. They are loaded with talent, have a very solid secondary, and can beat you throwing or running the ball. Colorado State is cut from the same ilk as the Bulldogs. They return Conference Player of the Year in Johnny McIlhenny, and the team has a two-headed monster at QB, with Jeno Saxon and junior backup Charley Ross. They have playmakers on D in LB Maugaula Martinez and Pat Davidson. I don't think anyone outside of these two has a real chance...but I *really* like these two teams. Their situations are ideal to make a lot of noise in the postseason, and I think they'll be quite loud when the time comes.
2006 Preseason Top 25
1. Ohio State
2. Georgia
3. Florida State
4. USC
5. Auburn
6. Oklahoma
7. Penn State
8. Michigan
9. Texas
10. LSU
11. Florida
12. Syracuse
13. Clemson
14. Oregon State
15. Colorado
16. Boston College
17. Notre Dame
18. Pittsburgh
19. Wisconsin
20. Miami
21. Washington State
22. Colorado State
23. Fresno State
24. Maryland
25. Minnesota
2006 Preseason All-American Team
QB: Sage Stith, PSU
RB: Melvin Landry, Tennessee
FB: Sedrick Barton, Nebraska
WR: Kimo Setzer, Florida State
WR: Terrell Tolar, NC State
TE: London Standlee, Alabama
OT: KD Franklin, Florida
OT: Hason Hoard, Ohio State
OG: Omare English, Clemson
OG: Derwin Isenbarger, Oklahoma
C: Bhawoh Tillman, Minnesota (JR)
DE: Babe Broussard, North Carolina
DE: Brooks Lavelli, Minnesota (JR)
DT: Lake Kotite, Southern California (JR)
DT: Reuben Stransky, Colorado
ILB: Ruben Flemons, Kent State
ILB: Johndale McFarland, Virginia Tech
OLB: Cornelius Sayler, Nebraska
OLB: Glenn Voigt, Air Force
CB: Glenn Stanley, Notre Dame (JR)
CB: Jamel Prefontaine, Southern California
FS: LaVell Milan, NC State
SS: Philip Bly, Southern California
K: Wilber Trull, West Virginia
P: Clinton Burks, Kentucky
Top Ten Heisman Candidates
1. Sage Stith, QB, Penn State. He's the top returning quarterback in the nation. He has one of the top offenses in the nation at his disposal. If Max Dixon, who has moved to wide receiver this year, can make the transition (and stay eligible), there may not be a more potent offense. That, along with a down year for defenses in the Big Ten, and the fact that Penn State will be a national title contender, gives Stith the top billing here.
2. Melvin Landry, RB, Tennessee. Landry, the nation's top returning rusher from a year ago, will have perhaps a tougher time going for 2,000 yards. He'll be behind an All-American in tackle Dennis Wooten, yes. But the passing game, in spite of a pair of stud wideouts (Hubert Chandler and Dom Kanell), may lack behind a transition at quarterback. Teams will stack eight and nine in the box on Landry. And he'll be in the SEC, which proved its mettle last year and will be better this year. But Landry did it last year with an underachieving team around him. I think he can do it again this year, and make himself a viable candidate.
3. Artrell Pierson, QB, Georgia (Jr). The #1 recruit in the nation this year, Pierson is the centerpiece of a rebuilt offense that lost #1 pick Jared Bingaman along with QB Isaac Allen and WR Erik Hargett. Pierson is that rare speciman that can come in and be The Man, even on a defending national champion. He has that rare air about him, and he's one of two players (Raymont Neubert of PSU being the other) that will make an immediate impact on title contenders as JuCos this year. Pierson has a legit shot at winning the Heisman, if he leads Georgia back to the SEC championship. I don't know if UGA coaches want him doing THAT well, though; I'm not sure they want to replace starting quarterbacks in two consecutive offseasons.
4. Jarmar McCloughan, QB, USC (So). McCloughan being here is part his talent, and part his conference being weak on defense. Nobody in the conference is really capable of stopping USC's pass offense, which should make him the conference's Top Offensive player by default. Add in that he has the ability to tear up any defense, and you have a Heisman candidate. He's capable of throwing for 3,500 yards and 40 TD this season. If he cuts down on the interceptions (he threw nine in 11 games last year), he should be in this conversation late in the season.
5. Torrin McClairen, RB, Texas. Here's a guy that we expect to be the dark hourse candidate. He's filled with talent. Has a burst that nobody in the nation has. But he was stuck behind the nation's top senior, Kelvin Torgeson, last year. This year, it's his team, and I fully expect him to shred the Big XII for monster numbers. He will likely be the nation's top rusher this year, and 25 touchdowns isn't out of the question. He's the nation's best kept secret. The question is, how long will it be before he gets noticed?
6. Deveren Liske, RB, Wisconsin. He's a surprisingly big back (5'10, 227), and can move piles. He's durable, and his running skills are second to none in the nation. I expect him to improve on his numbers from a year ago (1453 yards, 10 TD). He's also going to lead a renaissance in Madison this year, as Wisconsin has built themselves a legit national title contender. The combination of the two forces will make Liske a top contender for the nation's top award.
7. I.M. Dressel, QB, Syracuse. Nobody has more to prove this year than Dressel, who got hurt and disappointed Orange fans with a spotty 2005 campaign. This year, Syracuse is the favorite to win the Big East, and Dressel is the frontrunner for Big East Player of the Year honors. He will also have opportunities against top competition. Syracuse plays at Texas A&M in Week 2, and at USC in Week 4. If Dressel can live up to the hype that was given to him last season, and lead the 'Cuse to the postseason, he's going to be considered. I don't know that he can overcome QBs like Stith, Pierson, or even FSU's Bracy Tolhurst...but I think, if the pieces fall right, he'll be there in the end.
8. Bracy Tolhurst, QB, Florida State (So). The youngest member on this list, Tolhurst has a lot of weapons around him. He has two All-American caliber wideouts, a bruising running back capable of 2,000 yards rushing, and an offensive line that can protect him. Tolhurst also learned behind 2005 Heisman winner Ronde Samuels. The sky is the limit for the young star. He still has some bad habits that can get him in trouble...but if he can correct them, and take his game up a notch, you're looking at moving this kid up more than a few notches on this list.
9. Terrell Tolar, WR, NC State. He's the only wideout on this list, and he's the only wideout capable of winning the award. He's 6'6 with great precision on his routes, and a burst that gets by even the fastest corner. He's aggressive, can outjump anyone in college...simply put, he's the best in college football. If Marshall Greisen can consistently get him the ball, he's very capable of putting up superhuman numbers. That's what it will take for a receiver to win the Heisman...but if any wideout can do it, it's Tolar.
10. Buck Coronado, RB, Boston College. He's the best running back in the ACC, and the leading rusher returning in the conference. He's got incredible soft hands, great speed, and can be a force in the passing game. He has instincts like no other, and his ability to cut back is unparalleled. He's this far down because BC does not figure to be a major player for the postseason, which will hurt his chances. But, on merit alone, he deserves to be higher...maybe even top five. He's not even a notch below the top running backs in the nation.
Honorable mention: Jimond Jensen, RB, OK State; June Grant, RB, Minnesota; Ray Jimoh, RB, Oklahoma; Raymont Neubert, RB, Penn State (Jr); Yo Rizzo, QB, Miami (Jr)
Top Ten Bednarik Candidates
While we see the top Heisman candidates, what about the other side of the ball? Who are the top defensive players in the nation?
1. LaVell Milan, S, NC State. The guy can do it all. He's all over the field, making plays. He's a hard hitter, can cover like a blanket, and can get to the quarterback. There's nothing he's not asked to do, and there's nothing he can't answer. He is the top defensive player in the nation, bar none.
2. Brennan Northcutt, LB, Florida. The premier linebacker in the nation, Northcutt is the top front seven player around. He can go sideline to sideline. He is excellent at getting to the QB, and will be asked to do more of that this year. He's a great thinking player; you never see him take a bad angle, or make a bad read. He's also lightning quick against the run.
3. Brooks Lavelli, DE, Minnesota. Lavelli should lead the nation in sacks, and that will get him in this discussion. He took on double teams last year, and still managed seven sacks for Minnesota's vaunted defense. He'll also get plenty of chances, as many teams on Minnesota's schedule figure to pass the ball plenty.
4. Jamel Prefontaine, CB, Southern California. The best shutdown corner in the nation, Prefontaine is in a league all his own. He's on an island in USC's scheme, and has had to cover some excellent wide receivers. He handcuffed Cal's Qadry Lemons last year in their only meeting. He allows Stacy Bond to pressure the QB an awful lot, and not be worried about offensives throwing over the top.
5. Lake Kotite, DT, Southern California. Here's the guy who's the beneficiary of all of that pressure the Trojans like to put on opposing QBs. Kotite is capable of fifteen sacks, despite being a tackle. He's great at splitting through an offensive line, and getting to the quarterback. He's expected to be a force, and we expect him to be on this list at the end of the year.
6. Ruben Flemons, LB, Kent State. He's all over the place, at all times. He's the most disruptive force in the MAC. I think he'll actually be in this discussion because his stats will be excellent. I'm not sure if he's quite the player that the ones above him are, or the ones a little below him (like Ohio State's Austin Leaverton, for example). But he's capable of putting up some big numbers in a solid conference.
7. Austin Leaverton, LB, Ohio State. He's as good as anyone, and he may be the best linebacker in the nation in pass coverage. His ability to pick up running backs and tight ends is unparalleled. He'll be the biggest name on a big-time defense, and that puts him here.
8. Mason Archuleta, S, Texas A&M. He made his name last season because of his ability to lay in a hit. He also picked up five interceptions. He is seemingly always around the football, and those kind of players are the ones who get on lists like these at the end of the season.
9. JohnDale McFarland, LB, Virginia Tech. He's gotten much better over the offseason, and is now considered one of the best linebackers in the nation. The biggest improvement in his game is his ability to get to the quarterback. He had no sacks a year ago. Now, he could be looking at 10-12 sacks. He is the most improved defensive player in the nation, and he's ready to make it show.
10. Glenn Stanley, CB, Notre Dame. Another shutdown corner in a nation lacking them. Stanley has ideal size (6'2, 203 pounds), runs a 4.38 40, and has incredible agility. He'll also be tested, namely against USC's Shaun Leo. He will have some of the greatest battles any corner will see all year. It will be a joy to watch him go.
Honorable mention: Vinny Anderson, LB, Penn State; Philip Bly, S, USC; Reno Gillespie, S, FSU; Glenn Voigt, LB, Aire Force
Conference Top Three
ACC
Offensive Player of the Year: Bracy Tolhurst, QB, FSU
Defensive Player of the Year: LaVell Milan, FS, NC State
Rookie of the Year: Roberto Naeloe, CB, Virginia Tech
Rising: Miami
Falling: Virginia
Biggest shoes to fill: Kurt Laird, QB, Clemson
Most Underrated: Calvin Torrey, QB, Virginia
Most Overrated: Raonall Gibbons, RB, NC State
Best player you've never heard of: Jacques Bird, LB, North Carolina
Top Pro Prospect: Terrell Tolar, WR, NC State
1. Florida State: More weapons than anyone else.
2. Clemson: Life after Laird isn't so bad.
3. Miami: Yo! Rizzo, Canes get back on track.
Atlantic Division Winner: Florida State
Coastal Division Winner: Miami
ACC Champion: Florida State
Big East
Offensive Player of the Year: IM Dressel, QB, Syracuse
Defensive Player of the Year: Abdul-Salam Faneca, FS, Syracuse
Rookie of the Year: D'Wayne Flowers, SS, West Virginia
Rising: UConn
Falling: Louisville
Biggest shoes to fill: Donovin Pospisil, QB, West Virginia
Most Underrated: Kenyon Kadela, LB, Syracuse
Most Overrated: Eddie Scifres, RB, Louisville
Best player you've never heard of: Chon Kreider, QB, Pittsburgh
Top Pro Prospect: IM Dressel, QB, Syracuse
1. Syracuse: Dressel is the key in the Carrier Dome.
2. Pittsburgh: Can their offense make up for their spotty D?
3. West Virginia: Dropoff after the top two is steep.
Big Ten
Offensive Player of the Year: Sage Stith, QB, Penn State
Defensive Player of the Year: Austin Leaverton, LB, Ohio State
Rookie of the Year: Raymont Neubert, RB, Penn State
Rising: Wisconsin
Falling: Minnesota
Biggest shoes to fill: Art Webb, QB, Minnesota
Most Underrated: Sammy Banducci, WR, Iowa
Most Overrated: Rae Hendrickson, RB, Michigan
Best player you've never heard of: Deveren Liske, RB, Wisconsin
Top Pro Prospect: Sage Stith, QB, Penn State
1. Ohio State: Ridiculously talented. Seriously.
2. Penn State: Watch out...this team is extremely dangerous, on both ends of the ball.
3. Michigan: Inexperienced secondary could really hurt this team.
Big XII
Offensive Player of the Year: Torrin McClairen, RB, Texas
Defensive Player of the Year: Mason Archuleta, FS, Texas A&M
Rookie of the Year: Gordon Rone, WR, Nebraska
Rising: Colorado
Falling: Texas A&M
Biggest shoes to fill: Marion Songin, RB, Texas A&M
Most Underrated: Cyril Ryan, DE, Texas Tech
Most Overrated: Wray Diedrick, WR, Colorado
Best player you've never heard of: Qadry Hines, WR, Kansas State
Top Pro Prospect: Jimond Jensen, RB, Oklahoma State
1. Oklahoma: Sooners want to rebound after upset in Big XII Championship.
2. Texas: Can all the new parts fit the puzzle?
3. Colorado: Buffs should own the North behind QB Cannady, RB Gilmore.
North Division Winner: Colorado
South Division Winner: Oklahoma
Big XII Champion: Oklahoma
C-USA
Offensive Player of the Year: Ramon Shipp, RB, UTEP
Defensive Player of the Year: Herkie Kilmer, LB, UTEP
Rookie of the Year: Woody DeLong, RB, Marshall
Rising: UTEP
Falling: Southern Miss
Biggest shoes to fill: Duke Parks, RB, Marshall
Most Underrated: Alan Stanley, LB, Marshall
Most Overrated: Reyna Pugh, QB, UAB
Best player you've never heard of: Y.A. Ford, WR, Southern Miss
Top Pro Prospect: Y.A. Ford, WR, Southern Miss
1. Marshall: If DeLamielleure is solid, Herd goes to the playoffs.
2. Central Florida: Not flashy, no stars...they just get the job done.
3. UTEP: Arguably the best defense in the conference.
East Division Winner: Marshall
West Division Winner: UTEP
C-USA Champion: Marshall
MAC
Offensive Player of the Year: Clay Teresa, RB, Toledo
Defensive Player of the Year: Ruben Flemons, LB, Kent State
Rookie of the Year: Quinton Diggs, WR, Northern Illinois
Rising: Kent State
Falling: Miami (OH)
Biggest shoes to fill: Curtis Gault, T, Miami (OH)
Most Underrated: MarTay Paple, CB, Buffalo
Most Overrated: Ki-Jana Gbaja-Biamilia, QB, Buffalo
Best player you've never heard of: Ruben Flemons, LB, Kent State
Top Pro Prospect: Ruben Flemons, LB, Kent State
1. Toledo: ...as long as RB Clay Teresa stays healthy (and eligible)...
2. Kent State: Can Ruben Flemons play offense, too? KSU fans will be asking...
3. Northern Illinois: Very likely ranked too low, though their offense is too inconsistent.
East Division Winner: Toledo
West Division WInner: Kent State
MAC Champion: Toledo
MWAC
Offensive Player of the Year: Jimond McIlhenny, RB, Colorado State
Defensive Player of the Year: Glenn Voigt, LB, Air Force
Rookie of the Year: Tron Tafoya, RB, UNLV
Rising: San Diego State
Falling: Air Force
Biggest shoes to fill: Dobie Sanderson, LB, New Mexico
Most Underrated: Dokie Gash, QB, Air Force
Most Overrated: Carey McCoy, RB, BYU
Best player you've never heard of: Arnie Turntine, QB, UNLV
Top Pro Prospect: Dokie Gash, QB, Air Force
1. Colorado State: Return the nucleus from last year's solid showing.
2. San Diego State: Call it a hunch, but I think they'll sneak up on people.
3. Air Force: Will be tougher to repeat, though Gash is a big asset.
Pac-10
Offensive Player of the Year: Jarmar McCloughan, QB, USC
Defensive Player of the Year: Jamel Prefontaine, CB, USC
Rookie of the Year: Cris Henley, WR, California
Rising: Washington State
Falling: Arizona
Biggest shoes to fill: LeRoy Keithley, RB, Oregon State
Most Underrated: Andrew Minardi, RB, California
Most Overrated: Tory Wheelwright, SS, Arizona State
Best player you've never heard of: Kavika Romanik, QB, California
Top Pro Prospect: Philip Bly, S, USC
1. Southern California: The young Trojans have experience, ready to rule the west.
2. Oregon State: Scott Wasner has to make the secondary work to contend.
3. Washington State: This year's USC...they're a year away.
SEC
Offensive Player of the Year: Artrell Pierson, QB, Georgia
Defensive Player of the Year: Brennan Northcutt, LB, Florida
Rookie of the Year: Artrell Pierson, QB, Georgia
Rising: LSU
Falling: Alabama
Biggest shoes to fill: Jared Bingaman, RB, Georgia
Most Underrated: Van Macklin, LB, Auburn
Most Overrated: Jammi Carruth, RB, Ole Miss
Best player you've never heard of: Winslow Ferrario, RB, Florida
Top Pro Prospect: London Standlee, TE, Alabama (he gets the nod because he's going to change the way pro football looks at tight ends)
1. Georgia: The Bulldogs, being Pierson, just reloaded for another title run.
2. Auburn: They are deep, they are talented, and they are ready for the big time.
3. LSU: The Tigers are ready to rebound from a lackluster '05.
Sun Belt
Offensive Player of the Year: MacArthur Aikman, WR, Troy
Defensive Player of the Year: Jay Means, CB, Florida International
Rookie of the Year: Kamil Metzelaars, OG, Mid TN State
Rising: Arkansas State
Falling: none
Biggest shoes to fill: Dimitrius LeJeune, LB, FAU
Most Underrated: Lenny Ditka, LB, Mid TN State
Most Overrated: Gibran Tomlinson, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette
Best player you've never heard of: MacArthur Aikman, WR, Troy
Top Pro Prospect: MacArthur Aikman, WR, Troy
1. Troy: Should get to playoffs again...if someone can throw to Aikman.
2. Arkansas State: Tough team with no standouts.
3. Middle Tennessee State: Not all that talented, but they somehow get the job done.
WAC
Offensive Player of the Year: Monsanto Westbrooks, QB, Fresno State
Defensive Player of the Year: Buck Cipa, FS, Utah State
Rookie of the Year: Yo Binn, OT, Hawaii
Rising: Fresno State
Falling: Nevada
Biggest shoes to fill: Deems Talley, OT, Boise State
Most Underrated: Will Freeman, CB, New Mexico State
Most Overrated: Orson Shehee, QB, Boise State
Best player you've never heard of: KJ Olszewski, FS, Fresno State
Top Pro Prospect: Monsanto Westbrooks, QB, Fresno State
1. Fresno State: The Bulldogs are geared up for more than just the conference title.
2. Boise State: Can the Broncos win without most of their offense?
3. Hawaii: QB Jashon Lemmerman will keep them competitive.
Independents
Offensive Player of the Year: Damian Bland, QB, Notre Dame
Defensive Player of the Year: Glenn Stanley, CB, Notre Dame
Rookie of the Year: Bret Baniewicz, RB, Notre Dame
Rising: Notre Dame
Falling: Army
Biggest shoes to fill: Simeon Hines, QB, Navy
Most Underrated: Isiah Paxton, DE, Navy
Most Overrated: Ty Sellers, RB, Notre Dame
Best player you've never heard of: Devon Aldridge, WR, Notre Dame
Top Pro Prospect: Glenn Stanley, CB, Notre Dame
1. Notre Dame: Should be a cakewalk this season.
2. Navy: They have somewhat of a defense.
3. Army: They aren't Temple.
Playoff Picks
So, here's what we have, in terms of the playoff picture
Florida State (ACC)
Syracuse (Big East)
Ohio State (Big Ten)
Oklahoma (Big XII)
Marshall (CUSA)
Toledo (MAC)
Colorado State (MWAC)
Southern California (Pac-10)
Georgia (SEC)
Troy (SUN)
Fresno State (WAC)
So, there's five spots left. Here are our picks for the final playoff spots:
1. Notre Dame (INDY)
2. Miami (ACC)
3. Penn State (Big Ten)
4. Texas (Big XII)
5. LSU (SEC)
When it's all said and done, here's my Final Four.
USC vs Penn State
Notre Dame vs Georgia
I think Georgia will get back to the title game, to be opposed by USC. Penn State and Notre Dame, I think, are the wild cards in the playoffs...they're both capable of mucking things up for Oklahoma, Ohio State, Texas, and Florida State. But, I think USC and Georgia are the cream of the crop, and they'll make it to the season's final game. In the end, I think Southern Cal, this time helped by a competitive conference, is too talented for the Bulldogs to match up with. Artrell Pierson is good enough to get Georgia back to the title game, but I don't think he's good enough to win it. Chalk it up to Jamar McCloughan, Shaun Leo, Lake Kotite, Jamel Prefontaine, Philip Bly, and the Trojan coaching staff. They began their ascent to this spot last year, when they rallied to win the Pac 10, then got to the semifinals. I think this is the start of a dynasty in Pasadena for the Men of Troy.
Your 2006 National Champion: Southern California
