I'll post my own version of what Athlon, Lindy's and all those other magazines do every summer, with a college football preview, complete with predictions. First, I want to break down my two teams, the Florida State Seminole AND the Florida Gators. 99.9% of fans in this state will have a hard time with that last sentence. Folks just don't like BOTH teams, it is one or the other. Not me. My dad has always been a Gator and the SEC is simply the best, most fun conference in the country. FSU is close to "home", and Bobby built a dominant power that was so much fun to be part of, especially the run from the late 80s thru the early 2000's.
Florida State has fallen into a state of mediocrity the last few years. It really started when Mark Richt left for Athens and Jeff Bowden was given the offense. The did win an ACC title to two since then, but have been nowhere near the program they were when Bobby was in the zone. That "zone" is in the rear view mirror, and the longer he stays on, the more he tarnishes his legacy. That said, this should be a pretty good year. Trickett has worked miracles with the offensive line, and Christian Ponder seems to have a clue. The schedule is tough, starting with the opener on Labor Day evening, against "The U". I really hate Miami, but Randy Shannon seems like such a good guy, that I guess I hate them a little less, but only a little :). Two weeks after the Canes, FSU travels out to the altitude of Provo, Utah. BYU will be waiting and Max Hall will be slinging the ball around. The next week, the Noles come home to host the USF Bulls. South Florida is dangerous in September, but lately fold in November. Another long trip, this time to Boston College is next, followed by Georgia Tech coming to Tallahassee. I think the Yellow Jackets will win the Coastal division of the ACC, so hopefully, this will be the first of TWO games against the Ramblin Wreck. A week off before a trip to lovely Chapel Hill to face Butch Davis' Tarheels. NC State comes to Doak Campbell the next week in a key Atlantic division game. Tom O'Brien is a very good coach and his Wolfpack will be much better this year. If FSU takes care of NC State, then the next two weeks will determine whether or not they win their division. They go to Clemson and to Wake Forest the first two Saturdays in November. At that point we will know what all the answers to the questions. A date with Maryland closes out the home schedule, and then the regular season finale is in the Swamp against the National Champion Gators...IF the Noles can beat Miami in game 1, I see them going 8-3, or maybe even 9-2 and winning the Atlantic division. That may even be a bit optimistic, but it will take some really poor coaching to waste all the talent they have. Since Trickett has the OLine performing, FSU can RUN the ball. If they can run, Ponder will have easy pickings through the air. Mickey Andrews deserves his own statue, as his defenses have been quality even when the offense went missing for a few seasons.
The Gators. What else can be said about a team that won it all last year, and has almost every player back. They are so deep it is sick. Sure Percy will be missed, but there is so much speed still in Gainesville, that things will be AOK. Tebow is going to take more snaps from under center, so he can prove to Mel Kiper and other draft pundits, that he can play in the NFL. This may sound crazy, but if Tebow was injured, the Gator's offense might even be better without him. A few season ago, me and my bud Pete went to a high school game in the Villages. Trinity Catholic from Ocala brought their show to town, with a QB named John Brantley. It was a drizzly night and the most memorable plan had Brantley rolling to his left (un natural side) at full speed. Just before he was hit, he flicked a pass ~60 - 65 yards down field to hit the receiver in stride. It was an amazing pass for a high school player, and given his sprinting, and the weather, it was one of the best passes I have seen. Mr Brantley is Tebow's backup. He is a purer passer and I expect him to light up the SEC when he gets his turn.
Urban Meyer has produced results for UF. It is unreal actually. Winning a national championship takes great players and a lot of luck. He has won two out of the last three, and is drooling over another! That said, he is a smug individual. Suppose he can be, but that stuff with Shane Mathews was uncalled for. Nobody is entitled to their opinion anymore. Kind of like when FSU fired Peter Tom Willis for telling the truth.... Anyway, Florida has a monster game AT LSU, and of course Georgia in Jax. Other than that, they SHOULD win all their games. Arkansas will be tricky, and I think Vanderbilt will be a tough out. Tennessee should call in "swine flu" instead of showing up in the Swamp on Sept 19. I think Lame gets taught a lesson and frankly, it can't get here soon enough.
Later this weekend, I'll break out my over all college preview.
FL Outlaw
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