THE BEST:
1.
Miami - Living the Dream
I have always lived by the thinking that
the champs are the champs until taken
out..that hasn't happened and won't for
at least a few months from now... I say
around November 9th. Though the Canes
have lost a handful of very talented seniors,
the core is still in place for another
run. Led by Heisman favorite Dorsey, and
second year coach Coker, the Canes will
definitely blow through the Big East and
be in the hunt late in the season.
Roadblocks:
September 7 at Florida: Early test in
the swamp
October 12 vs Florida State: Bowden will
have his boys ready in the battle for
the state.
November 9 at Tennessee: UT's house is
usually a precursor to a big 'L' for the
visitor
December 7 vs Virginia Tech: Big game
last year, big game this year
2.
Texas - Hooking the Talent
Year in and year out, Texas fans say it's
their year, this year they may be right.
Loaded with the best roster from top to
bottom in the land, Coach Brown's career
will be on the shoulders of his four year
project, Chris Simms. Simms brings loads
of potential to the table with something
he's never been, the clear cut leader
of the Horns. If Simms can shake his big
game tendencies and the D can continue
the intensity lead by Johnson, Texas will
be in Tempe come the new year.
Roadblocks:
October 12 vs Oklahoma: It doesn't get
much better than the Red River shootout
November 2 at Nebraska: NU hasn't lost
in Lincoln since '98, to Texas
November 16 at Texas Tech: Lubbock has
always haunted the Horns
3.
Oklahoma
Coach Stoops has one big question mark
coming into the season: how's Jason White's
knee? Many writers have the Sooners at
the top but that question mark is too
much for this one. Oklahoma has a tough
conference schedule to endure but they
still have that swagger that comes with
championship football.
Roadblocks:
October 12 vs Texas: This game means everything
to OU and UT
November 2 vs Colorado: CU would love
to leave Norman with a 'W'
November 30 at OK State: Hey, remember
last year in Norman?
4.
Florida
Rookie coach Zook will have his hands
full with a hellish schedule, but he can
lean on Heisman candidate Rex Grossman
and his speedy backs. Many are writing
off the Gators with the departure of Spurrier
but with Grossman at the helm, the Fun
and Gun will be alive and well in the
swamp. If the Gators can survive the toughest
schedule in the land, they'll be in Tempe...but
that's a big if.
Roadblocks:
Sept 7 vs Miami: The champs come to the
swamp
Sept 21 at Tennessee: A solid rematch
with the Vols
Nov 2 vs Georgia: Georgia will be looking
to make a point
Nov 30 at Florida St: A bitter rivalry
with all the flair of years past
5.
Tennessee- Rocky Mountain High
Except for the SEC championship debacle,
Fullmer and the boys felt pretty good
about last year. Of course, Georgia continues
to be the achilles heel of the Vols and
I see that trend continuing as the site
shifts back to GA. The real weakness of
this year's group is lack of experience
or depth for that matter in the DL. Either
they'll mature quickly in fall camps or
retreat and place the pressure on the
backfield. The new, Spurrierless SEC has
a wide-eyed Fullmer ready to step up and
take his position on top.
Roadblocks:
Sept 21 vs Florida: Took care of Gators
in Gainesville last year
Oct 12 at Georgia: On a two game losing
streak to Georgia
Nov 9 vs Miami: The defending champs will
be coming around the mountain
That's
right boys and girls, summer camps are turning
up everywhere and the hint of fall is just
around the corner. Over the next few weeks
I'll look at where teams are now, where
they will finish, bowl predictions, conference
breakdowns, and so much more. For my money,
you can't beat NCAA football!! Yes, the
rivalries, bands, drinking, and of course
some action on the gridiron. 
6.
Georgia
7.
Florida State
8.
Nebraska
9.
Colorado
10.
Michigan
