NCAA Football 2014-2015

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

 

Got my season tickets, so the year of the playoffs seems to be upon us...

 

 

Predictions to start the thread:

 

ACC: FSU 

American: UH

Big 10: MSU

Big 12: Baylor

PAC12: UCLA

SEC: Alabama

Best non conference team: Boise St. (Mountain West)

 

Playoff Teams: Alabama, UCLA, FSU, MSU

 

Title Game: Alabama vs. FSU

Champion: Alabama

 

 

HOOK EM

[T3hRaven]

Ohio State has to be the favorite in the B1G at this point.

[Mt. Crushmore]

Finally a playoff!

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

Ohio State has to be the favorite in the B1G at this point.

 

Technically they are but MSU has just as many people coming back as OSU does, and OSU has to go into East Lansing this year. We'll see but if last year is any indication I think it's closer than most thinkl

[T3hRaven]

What are the new divisions again?  I think it's mostly geographical, but I don't remember exactly.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

What are the new divisions again?  I think it's mostly geographical, but I don't remember exactly.

 

East:

Indiana

Michigan State

Rutgers

Maryland

Ohio State

Michigan

Penn State

 

West:

llinois

Nebraska

Wisconsin

Iowa

Northwestern

Minnesota

Purdue

[T3hRaven]

Thank you sir.  Man the West is weak.  Wisconsin should run away with that division.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

Thank you sir.  Man the West is weak.  Wisconsin should run away with that division.

 

Yeah it makes no sense

[T3hRaven]

Yeah it makes no sense

 

The East will be super competitive with both Michigan schools, OSU, and Penn State if they ever recover, but seriously.  Wisconsin should run away with the West every single year.  Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, and Purdue all suck, Northwestern is a school for academics, and Nebraska has the worst coaching staff of any program on a similar tier and they have recruiting issues.

[Mt. Crushmore]

East:

Indiana

Michigan State

Rutgers

Maryland

Ohio State

Michigan

Penn State

 

West:

llinois

Nebraska

Wisconsin

Iowa

Northwestern

Minnesota

Purdue

 

That is so unbalanced. 

[T3hRaven]

That is so unbalanced. 

 

I see why they did it, they didn't want to split up the Michigan schools.

[Mt. Crushmore]

I see why they did it, they didn't want to split up the Michigan schools.

 

I know why they did it, but with the way the schools are right now it is very one-sided.

[52520Andrew]

Predictions by conference

ACC: FSU, not sold on any of the challengers

SEC: Auburn, I think this could be a down year in the SEC, not really sold on Bama this year at least not until I see more of their new QB and the other teams lost a lot of people, specifically at QB.

BIG 14(I mean big 10 ): Ohio State, they needed a couple years to build up the talent, that has now happened. I was one of their harshest critics last year but I think they have now been built to the point of being legitimate contenders

Big 10(I mean 12 ): Baylor, A lot of returning talent although Oklahoma could give them a run if they don't lose the game that matters like they do every year. Texas is in building mode but I like the direction they are headed.

Pac 12: Oregon, a lot of returning talent, I see them getting over the Stanford hump this year.

Playoffs:

Auburn

FSU

Oregon

Ohio State

Championship:

FSU vs. Oregon

Winner: Oregon

I will probably have a better set of predictions once we get into the season but these teams have the least amount of question marks IMO. Oregon seems like a team that is in really good shape on paper and Mariota wants to win. I doubt it works out like this but I just went with what I felt at this point. Can't wait for football

[T3hRaven]

I think Texas could be good sooner than anticipated. They've always had and always will have the recruiting classes, now I think they have the coaching.

[52520Andrew]

I don't see it as soon as this year however, they will be better than last year for sure (maybe even 10 wins) but I don't see them as more than contenders for the big 12 yet.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

I don't see it as soon as this year however, they will be better than last year for sure (maybe even 10 wins) but I don't see them as more than contenders for the big 12 yet.

 

 

I think Texas could be good sooner than anticipated. They've always had and always will have the recruiting classes, now I think they have the coaching.

 

We were a decent 4th quarter in Waco away from winning the big 12 last year with Case Mccoy at QB and a horrendous defense. With David Ash returning from injury, an improved defense, most of our stars coming back, and a fresh coaching staff coming in (no more Major Applewhite thank god) I'm expecting this year to be around 10 wins. Assuming Strong is not a total bust, Texas should be back to contending for titles in 2016 when our 2015 recruiting class is established and we have one of our 3 great QB prospects in charge of the offense. 

Edited June 30, 2014 by BALTIMOREFLACCO

[52520Andrew]

We were a decent 4th quarter in Waco away from winning the big 12 last year with Case Mccoy at QB and a horrendous defense. With David Ash returning from injury, an improved defense, most of our stars coming back, and a fresh coaching staff coming in (no more Major Applewhite thank god) I'm expecting this year to be around 10 wins. Assuming Strong is not a total bust, Texas should be back to contending for titles in 2016 when our 2015 recruiting class is established and we have one of our 3 great QB prospects in charge of the offense. 

 

Yeah 10 wins seems realistic for them. I think that seems like a realistic time frame overall.

 

Also didn't mention this earlier but I think we see the SEC shift back towards being dominated by defense. Murray, Manziel, Mettenberger, Shaw, and McCarron all going takes the sails out of a lot of offenses. Then Tennessee lost practically their entire O-line, teams will have an offseason to figure out Auburn(although it should still be somewhat effective) and DGB being suspended for Mizzou. The running games do look good however, Yeldon, Gurley and Marshal, and Davis are all back this year. 

[SecretAgentMan]

Oregon and Mariota are overrated as all hell.

It'll be either Stanford or UCLA. And I actually think UCLA can do it(last year I knew they couldn't)

UCLA has Hundley returning on offense. The duel threat QB will probably be a top 5 pick and maybe make a push for #1 overall if Winston stays and Mariota has a down year. The offensive line as a whole should take a massive step forward because 3/5 were true freshman last year. Brendel retuning helps, and Malcolm Bunche transferring in will ease the ache of losing XSF.

And Hundley has a lot of weapons now too. Fuller, Lucien, and Payton is a good WR corp(Fuller and Payton are going to play on Sundays), and Duarte will be good as a TE.

That defensive line has a crap ton of NFL caliber talent despite Marsh leaving. Even without Barr and Zumwalt, they still have a stud LB in Jack, and a future NFL player in Kendricks. Hollins also flashed his potential as a pass rusher last season, and Whitley is supposedly a stud.

The secondary could also be worlds better than last year. The safeties are experienced and so are the CBs.

UCLA will win the PAC 12 south. I'm skeptical on whether they'll beat Stanford but they are talented enough to do it.

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

Oregon and Mariota are overrated as all hell.

It'll be either Stanford or UCLA. And I actually think UCLA can do it(last year I knew they couldn't)

UCLA has Hundley returning on offense. The duel threat QB will probably be a top 5 pick and maybe make a push for #1 overall if Winston stays and Mariota has a down year. The offensive line as a whole should take a massive step forward because 3/5 were true freshman last year. Brendel retuning helps, and Malcolm Bunche transferring in will ease the ache of losing XSF.

And Hundley has a lot of weapons now too. Fuller, Lucien, and Payton is a good WR corp(Fuller and Payton are going to play on Sundays), and Duarte will be good as a TE.

That defensive line has a crap ton of NFL caliber talent despite Marsh leaving. Even without Barr and Zumwalt, they still have a stud LB in Jack, and a future NFL player in Kendricks. Hollins also flashed his potential as a pass rusher last season, and Whitley is supposedly a stud.

The secondary could also be worlds better than last year. The safeties are experienced and so are the CBs.

UCLA will win the PAC 12 south. I'm skeptical on whether they'll beat Stanford but they are talented enough to do it.

 

I don't know about the bolded part, but I'm a believer in UCLA

 

Can't wait to see Hundley play in person in September, but I hope we kick his butt 

Edited July 1, 2014 by BALTIMOREFLACCO

[SecretAgentMan]

I don't know about the bolded part, but I'm a believer in UCLA

Can't wait to see Hundley play in person in September, but I hope we kick his butt

Mariota is good for college but won't be good in the pros IMO. Too skinny. Hundley can take a beating and has a line to protect him.

The Texas game will determine the season

[52520Andrew]

You Texas fans aren't going to like who the Sooners just got...

 

Daniel Jeremiah ‏@MoveTheSticks 9m

“@OU_Football: #Sooners announce the addition of Dorial Green-Beckham: http://bit.ly/1j0S26d  pic.twitter.com/SAMOBV7i1A” > wow!

Edited July 3, 2014 by 52520Andrew

[ravefan52]

You Texas fans aren't going to like who the Sooners just got...

Dang that's a HUGE get for them.

[SecretAgentMan]

Play boomer sooner!

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

Dang that's a HUGE get for them.

 

You Texas fans aren't going to like who the Sooners just got...

 

Daniel Jeremiah ‏@MoveTheSticks 9m

“@OU_Football: #Sooners announce the addition of Dorial Green-Beckham: http://bit.ly/1j0S26d  pic.twitter.com/SAMOBV7i1A” > wow!

 

He may never play a down for OU. Good chance he sits out a year then declares for the draft before 2015 

[T3hRaven]

Play boomer sooner!

 

Never.  Not ever.  Don't even do it.

[George70]

Thank you sir.  Man the West is weak.  Wisconsin should run away with that division.

I tend to agree with you, sir - the Badgers have been the class of the Western half of the B1G for some time now.

[Inqui]

For people more in the know than I, when are the schedule details finalised? I can see what games are on and when, but when do they decide the kickoff times?

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

For people more in the know than I, when are the schedule details finalised? I can see what games are on and when, but when do they decide the kickoff times?

 

A couple weeks before each game

[T3hRaven]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/charlie-strong-removed-the-longhorns-logo-from-texas--helmets--photos-183124087.html

 

Y'all down there must be happier than a Texan in a Walmart with a McDonalds that Strong is being tough on these coddled kids.

[ravensnick]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/charlie-strong-removed-the-longhorns-logo-from-texas--helmets--photos-183124087.html

 

Y'all down there must be happier than a Texan in a Walmart with a McDonalds that Strong is being tough on these coddled kids.

Foe sure. We'll be a better team in the end, even without some of those guys.

Edited August 5, 2014 by ravensnick