College Football 2005-2006 Preview

[Joey D]

Northern Illinios: Michigan will win this game hands down.
Norte Dame: Michigan should win this, but I'm kinda thinking an upset will happen.
Eastern Michigan: Michigan wins by a lot I'm going to wager. Another Michigan game I will be attending .
Wisconsin: Close battle and I'm actually thinking Wisconsin will win this game by a feild goal late in the game. But then again I suck at predictions.
Michigan Sate: Another close game but I'm feeling Michigan, 3 points will be all that will sperate these teams at the end of the 4th.

After that I really need to see how they are playing, I mean they just might have a sucktastic season this year which would blow. But you never know.

 

[Max E.]

As promised, my picks on these games ESPNEWS suggested about the Big Ten games.


Bowling Green at Wisconsin
* Bowling Green is a solid MAC team, but I'd give the edge to the Wisconsin Badgers.
(My Guessed Score: 35-7; Wisconsin)

Notre Dame at Michigan
* Are you kidding me? Wolverine BEATDOWN! I'm not completely counting out the Fighting Irish though. If Weiss can make them stars, I bet he can do it.
(My Guessed Score: 42-14; Michigan)

Texas at Ohio State
* This is the most interesting game of the three non-conference games. For Texas, they knocked off one bigtime Big Ten team, but this is the only deadlock I can see.
(My Guessed Score: 31-28; OT; Texas)

Carry on...

just saw this and i really do like the thread. you happened to bring up 3 very interesting games. for the first, don't for get that last year omar jacobs had a staggering 40-4 td/int ratio for bowling green. wisconsin might get the 35, but bowling green will certainly get more than 7. infact, wisconsin is a bit on the weak side this year having to deal with replacing davis. booker stanley could be a great back but there's no telling till they give him the ball. either way, i don't think he'll be as good as davis this year (jr.) there's a very good chance bowling green could win this game. infact, i happen to think they will. 35-28 BG

as for notre dame michigan, as much as i dispise the irish, they could be very good under charley wies. there's little argument with his results as the OC for the patriots. notre dame's recruiting has never really fallen off as this year they AGAIN have the usual half dozen parade all-americans joining the team. notre dame could fall flat on thier faces but as much as i hate to admit it, it doesn't seem likely with thier talent and weis running the show. this game will be closer than you think. 28-24 ND

texas @ ohio state: vincent young is the best player in college football as i'm sure any michigan fan will grudgingly admit. ohio state will doubtlessly use a.j. hawk to spy him but that will just put hawk out of place and vince would get by him anyway. there's nothing in the big 10 like vincent young and there hasn't been since randle el. texas will win this game running away regardless of how well selvin young runs the football for them. ohio state simply does not have the manpower to contain vince young. 42-20 texas

 

[JohnBM01]

I have another round of highlights to show off, but let me talk about Michigan's in-conference games and offer my predictions there. Of course, my most recent post of college football preview highlights is forthcoming, so stay tuned until then.

More Michigan Predictions:
* at Wisconsin: The game seems pretty favorable in Michigan's corner, but don't count out the Badgers. (Guessed score: 28-24; Michigan)
* at Michgan State: MSU is a good team. It's all about Michigan, but I think this game is going to be pretty close. Probably much more intense than last year's thriller. (Guessed Scores: 35-28; Michigan, or maybe 24-21, Michigan State)
* Minnesota: Minnesota should never be taken out of any Big Ten contention. In 2003 against Michigan, they lost 35-38. 2004, it was a 24-27 loss to the Wolverines. The last two losses were by threes, so I'm saying that the Battle for the Little Brown Jug will result in Minnesota losing by a touchdown and PAT. (Guess: 35-28; Michigan)
* Penn State: You're going to hate me for this, but I'm thinking that Penn State mayl pull off an upset in Ann Arbor. Michigan may make it ranked anything above 15 and below 5, but I think Penn State may enfuriate the Wolverines before they head to Iowa. (Guess: 31-28, OT, Penn State)
* at Iowa: Fresh off of their upset in last season's Capital One Bowl against LSU, Michigan may be looking at a 15% tougher opponent. I have two guesses, but it all depends on execution, and if Iowa is willing to step up on offense and defense. (Guessed Scores: (Upset) 42-38, OT; Iowa, or (regular) 28-10; Michigan)
* at Northwestern: I don't see Northwestern coming close. Think of the Wildcats as being contenders in this game, but have nothing to show for when the Wolverines go from Ann Arbor, MI, USA to Evanston, IL, USA. As quick trivia, if you like the ESPN show "Pardon the Interruption," co-host Michael Wilbon is a Northwestern alum. (Guessed Score: 45-6; Michigan)
* Indiana: Oh, Michigan's going to a Bowl Game this season, continuing their streak of postseason appearances. If this was college basketball, Indiana would be pure favorites. But since this is college football[/I], Indiana is going to get beaten in so many directions. They are a good team, but this will be child's play for Michigan. (Guess: 38-10; Michigan)
* Ohio State: Oh my God... this is a tough one to call or guess. Why? Because Ohio State and Michigan are completely unpredictable. These are arguably two of the best programs in all of America. I have three predicted scores, but you be the judge. (Guessed Scores: 42-35, 2OT; Michigan, 31-28; Ohio State, 35-14, (either team))

Bowl Game predictions: perhaps a BCS Bowl is in their future. It probably won't be the Rose Bowl on January 4th, 2006. I think they may play in the Orange Bowl or the Sugar Bowl against either Tennessee, Miami (FL), Iowa, or maybe California.

 

[Max E.]

yes penn state could very well pull off the win@ michigan. but i couldn't predict it unless i see how michael robinson has grown at the qb position. he has a ton of potential to be a hardcore gamebreaker but last year he lacked the confidence to dismantle a defensive unit like michigans.

lots of people do not realize this, but even though penn state had yet another losing record (much to my chagrin), they actually had the only defense in the country that didn't allow more than 21 points in ANY game. the offense was just terrible. penn state is returning all three of it's leading rushers this year. tony hunt looked very good last year going for almost 100 on a bad offense as only a sophomore and austin scott (another junior this year) who had a 6 yard average per carry last year and was top 15 in the country coming out of high school. it looks like the backfield is poised to be one of the best ground eating units in the big 10 if not the entire country. i looked at this year's schedule and i honestly think they have a very good chance of being undefeated well into the season (i forgot how deep now but it was something like 5 or 6-0). i'm feel pretty good about my lions getting over the hump this year but it really depends on robinson ( a senior now) and our young, strong backfield. ohio state, michigan and wisconsin will all be tough but atleast they get ohio state and wisconsin @ happy valley.

P.S. tressle's ohio state is 3-1 against michigan and they are returning 18 starters including EVERYBODY who was any good on the defense last year. i pick ohio state to win the big 10 and finish in the top 5 pre-bowl. even though i hate themthey have an excellent shot at the rose bowl. look for ted ginn jr. to beat up on michigan's depleted secondary (i have him penciled in for 2 td's). OSU 24-10

 

[JohnBM01]

ESPN presented a special Friday edition of College Gameday this past Friday. The ESPN crew of Chris Fowler, former Ohio State QB Kirk Herbstreit, Florida State star Lee Corso (my favorite commentator), Mark May, and Trev Alberts provided commentary. Here are as many highlights as I can provide:

* Pete Caroll is 42-9 as head coach of the Southern Cal Trojans. Caroll is in his fourth season. USC has great offense, but win because of solid defense. Lee Corso says that USC may not make it a three-peat. NEVER has there been a three-time National Champion, and the road to three may happen. Mark May: "only challenge for USC- 3 straight National Champions... Only team that can beat Southern Cal? Southern Cal." Kirk: "who can beat them?"

* Lee Corso: Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno will not retire anytime soon. Done so much for Penn State than anyone for any Division 1 school.
* Can Chris Leak succeed with Urban Meyer's offense?

* Bowling Green- the next 2004 Utah? Big reason- the quarterback.
* Can Marcus Vick lead VT to the ACC title?

* Postseason woes hope not to bite the Oklahoma Sooners for the third straight year. They lost to LSU in Baton Rouge losing the 2004 Sugar Bowl, not to mention the 55-19 blowout in the 2005 in the Orange Bowl to Southern California. Big reason may be big losses on defense (-Lee Corso). L. Corso: "Oklahoma players quit during the 2005 National Championship game." Mark May: "OU has lost their swagger." K. Herbstreit: "Injuries plauged OU's roster." Adrian Peterson rushed for 1,925 yards and 15 touchdowns. Question marks on OU's young talent. By the way, Oklahoma is 1-2 in National Championship games at OU with Bob Stoops as head coach.

* Texas vs Ohio State may end up being the team most likely to make it to BCS Bowls and/or win in-conference play. The burnt orange of Texas may likely be the best team in the Big XII. No question they rock the Big XII South, but they'd sure like to see them climb much higher. Mark May: "don't hand Texas the Big XII title just yet!" Lee Corso: "Mack Brown's time. Serving 22 years as head coach and NEVER a conference championship."

* Haven't been a bigtime passing team since 1979. Charlie Weis looks to take the blue and gold of South Bend, IN, USA, to Lee Corso: "Notre Dame may start 0-6 and with average players. Win eventually, but not this year." Now, here are ND's first six games ("@" notes Away game) [@ Pittsburgh, @ Michigan, Michigan State, @ Washington, @ Purdue, and Southern California]

* Steve Spurrier may make it to a BCS Bowl Game next season (-Mark May). Spurrier may not win a BCS title or the SEC title as head coach (-Lee Corso). This is during a failed NFL experiment. Highest winning percentage among all coaches in the SEC's history. Tough recruiting. Then, Kirk Herbstreit had a nice gesture saying that the South Carolina program is a Volkswagen that Spurrier turned into a Ferrari.

* Matt Leinart is unaffected by all the attention. He's in Los Angeles, so one can imagine what the L.A. life is like. But he's all about winning. And if that means a third consectutive Heisman and a matching third consecutive National Championship, then so be it, for him. He has 60.3 completion, 270 passing Yards per game, 63 touchdowns, and picked 9 times.

* Matt Leinart (U of Southern California), Reggie Bush (U. of Southern California), Vince Young (Texas), Peterson (Oklahoma), Marcus Vick (Virginia Tech) may make their way into the Downtown Athletic Club in New York City this December for Heisman. Leinart- 25-1 as QB heading into the new season.

-Gameday Conference Favorites-
* Big XII Favorites = Big XII North may never win a conference title. Texas, Texas A&M
* Big East Favorites = Louisville, Pittsburgh
* Atlantic Coast = Virginia Tech, Miami (FL)
* Southeastern Con. = Alabama (if healthy), LSU, Vanderbilt (joke by Mark May)
* Big Ten Favorites = Ohio State, Purdue, Michigan
* PAC-10 Favorites = USC (not national title), Oregon

THE ROAD TO PASADENA- PREDICTIONS BY THE CREW:
Mark May: USC vs. Texas; USC wins
Trev Alberts: USC vs. Virginia Tech; Virginia Tech wins
Kirk Herbstreit: USC vs. Ohio State; Ohio State wins
Lee Corso: Ohio State vs. LSU; Ohio State wins

If any more previews or commentary, I'll provide as much info as possible. Carry on.

 

[Max E.]

there has never been a 3 times champion since 1900. before then yale won 7 out of 8 NT's in the 1880's. i know that was a long time ago and the game has changed since, but it would be a disrespect to the guys that died on the field back then to not count their school's accomplishment. don't forget, football used to be a much tougher sport a long time ago and was almost outlawed by the government one year i believe in the teen's or 20's when nearly 20 people died on the field in one season.

 

[Max E.]

wow those gameday guys are idiots. i guess when you have to talk for an hour you sometimes pull stuff out of your a$$.

marcus vick to the downtown athletic club?? LOL it's not impossible but come on, the guy has never even come close to reaching HIS potential nevermind the BS hype they heaped on him because of mike. also, getting on the football field from time to time is key for a heisman run. the way he's been going the last few years, he might be off the team before the opener for all we know. can't really blame the gameday trio though, they are just being good company men and dropping the name vick as much as possible.

i was shocked they mentioned omar jacobs and bowling green. usually they will talk about the worst big ten team till they are blue in the face rather than proper a powerful mid-major team.

 

[JohnBM01]

Well, I have great respect for the MAC conference. I do thing BOWLing Green will go to another Bowl Game. I don't think they'll be the next 2004 Utah, nor do I see them competing in a BCS Bowl game. I wanted Boise State to be a BCS Buster. But for them, they played a game where their undefeated season was thwarted by the scarlet and white of Louisville. There is a big reason why I don't think BSU will be undefeated this season- Sept. 3rd AT Georgia. I think Georgia is one of the most solid teams in America, if not one of the most solid in the SEC. I think David Greene got drafted to the pros, so I don't know how the 2005 Georgia Bulldogs will do.

The point of all this is to try not to count out the MAC conference. This year's Cinderella story was in the Mountain West Conference with Utah. An example of great MAC talent who are currently in the NFL includes one you MAY be familiar with- Ben Roethlisberger of Miami (OH). I made a thread saluting B. Roethlisberger, but he was amazing in college. This began with seeing Roethlisberger in the GMAC Bowl (?) in 2003. He won his Bowl Game with exceptional performance. The MAC has talent. Anytime a MAC team takes down a Big Ten, Big XII, or SEC team, it is almost always an upset.

 

[Max E.]

i agree that boise state has little or no chance against georgia. even without david green, their recruiting the last 3 years has been exceptional. you know how it goes; a team might go into the tank for a few years but after a good season or two gets recruiting back up, they're back. this is the case for georgia.

i havn't looked at bowling green's schedule as yet to be honest. all i know is that last year omar jacobs threw for 40 touchdowns against 4 interceptions. have you ever seen a ratio like that?? i sure havn't. i find it hard to believe there are any MAC teams capable of stopping this guy. and with a star player like that getting the pub he will doublessly be getting after they smoke wisconsin, it wouldn't shock me to see bowling green in the BCS or atleast in the top 10 pre-bowl. anyway, incase you didn't get the message yet, bowling green in my sleeper for the year

 

[JohnBM01]

Come Sept. 1, it's time to enroll for another semester of college football. With this post, here is Bowling Green's schedule:

9/3: at Wisconsin
9/10: at Ball State
9/21: at Boise State
10/1: Temple
10/8: Ohio
10/15: at Buffalo
10/22: Western Michigan
10/29: Akron
11/5: at Kent State
11/15: at Miami (Ohio)
Nov 22: Toledo

Care to predict how Bowling Green will do?

 

[Max E.]

Come Sept. 1, it's time to enroll for another semester of college football. With this post, here is Bowling Green's schedule:

9/3: at Wisconsin
9/10: at Ball State
9/21: at Boise State
10/1: Temple
10/8: Ohio
10/15: at Buffalo
10/22: Western Michigan
10/29: Akron
11/5: at Kent State
11/15: at Miami (Ohio)
Nov 22: Toledo

Care to predict how Bowling Green will do?

well, taking into consideration the fact that i think bowling green will beat wisconsin and that boise st is no bcs buster as poorly advertised, i can not see bowling green losing any of those games. but you know how it is, they could lose to buffalo and piss it all away. but based on what i believe to be BG's strength, they overmatch all these opponents and should win all 10.

 

[JohnBM01]

Well, the time to preview is over. Ladies and gentlemen, you're enrolled to a new season... uh, semester of college football! You ready to make the grade? My first report of games is coming this Saturday.

Speculation over, people. The new season is here.