10 key questions heading into college football season
A few days late on posting this ...
Who will land in the BCS Championship game?
Will there be an undefeated team from a smaller conference to throw a kink in the system once again?
Who wins the coveted Heisman Trophy?
The start of the college football season is a little more than a month away, but it’s never too early to take a glance around the college landscape.
Here’s 10 key questions heading into the 2007 campaign:
1 — Can Appalachian State repeat as Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) champs? I don’t see why not. They’ve got one of the top offensive players, RB Kevin Richardson, and one of the best defensive players, DB Corey Lynch, in the country — both named preseason players of the year in the Southern Conference. The beauty of the FCS is that no polls or computer systems will decide whether the Mounties get a chance to repeat — they settle that on the field.
2 — What will be the impact of the youth movement at Gardner-Webb? Head coach Steve Patton has just 11 seniors on the roster, but they do have their fair share of regulars back — especially on the defensive side of the ball. I’m looking forward to seeing Gaffney, S.C. product, freshman Tyson Petty (WR, 6-0, 165), who should give the Bulldogs a strong, young threat on the outside.
3 — Will Wake Forest match its run of a year ago? I don’t see the Demon Deacons back in a BCS bowl, but contending in the Atlantic Division of the ACC is well within reach. Jim Grobe has this program built on the foundations of discipline and depth. I can’t wait for the week 1 match up between Wake Forest and Nebraska.
4 — How will the new coaches fare at UNC and N.C. State? I think both North Carolina’s Butch Davis and N.C. State’s Tom O’Brien can get their respective programs into the top tier of the ACC, but it’s not likely going to happen in their first years at the helm. Like anywhere, quarterback play will be key as the Heels and Pack will both have unproven players under center.
5 — Can Duke win an ACC game? The Blue Devils have 18 starters and 44 lettermen back, so Ted Roof doesn’t lack experience this year. Somewhat-bold prediction … I think Duke breaks through in league play and catches Virginia napping in Charlottesville in Week 2 for what will likely be its only ACC victory.
6 — Can “The Old Ball Coach” get the Gamecocks in the SEC championship? With the likes of Florida, Georgia and Tennessee in the SEC East, it’s going to be tough for Steve Spurrier and USC to make that stride this year. But give Spurrier one or two more solid recruiting classes and the sky is the limit in Columbia, S.C.
7 — Best bet to be in the BCS title game in New Orleans? USC vs. West Virginia. The Trojans are loaded once again out West with Cal being its biggest hurdle in the Pac 10. The Mountaineers are due to represent the Big East in the title game. I like the toughness of WVU to overcome USC’s speed in a high-scoring championship.
8 — Is Tim Tebow ready to be the full-time QB for the Gators? Yes, and it should be a lot of fun to watch. Look for Tebow, used occasionally last year, to tuck it under and run a lot for Urban Meyer’s squad.
9 — Way too early Heisman prediction? RB Darren McFadden of Arkansas. Look for USC QB John David Booty and Michigan’s Michael Hart to also get a lot of Heisman hype.
10 — Is there another Boise State out there? Many think TCU can come on strong out of the Mountain West. If they can pull a big upset at Texas in week 2, the Horned Frogs’ schedule sets up nice the rest of the way.
Who will land in the BCS Championship game?
Will there be an undefeated team from a smaller conference to throw a kink in the system once again?
Who wins the coveted Heisman Trophy?
The start of the college football season is a little more than a month away, but it’s never too early to take a glance around the college landscape.
Here’s 10 key questions heading into the 2007 campaign:
1 — Can Appalachian State repeat as Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA) champs? I don’t see why not. They’ve got one of the top offensive players, RB Kevin Richardson, and one of the best defensive players, DB Corey Lynch, in the country — both named preseason players of the year in the Southern Conference. The beauty of the FCS is that no polls or computer systems will decide whether the Mounties get a chance to repeat — they settle that on the field.
2 — What will be the impact of the youth movement at Gardner-Webb? Head coach Steve Patton has just 11 seniors on the roster, but they do have their fair share of regulars back — especially on the defensive side of the ball. I’m looking forward to seeing Gaffney, S.C. product, freshman Tyson Petty (WR, 6-0, 165), who should give the Bulldogs a strong, young threat on the outside.
3 — Will Wake Forest match its run of a year ago? I don’t see the Demon Deacons back in a BCS bowl, but contending in the Atlantic Division of the ACC is well within reach. Jim Grobe has this program built on the foundations of discipline and depth. I can’t wait for the week 1 match up between Wake Forest and Nebraska.
4 — How will the new coaches fare at UNC and N.C. State? I think both North Carolina’s Butch Davis and N.C. State’s Tom O’Brien can get their respective programs into the top tier of the ACC, but it’s not likely going to happen in their first years at the helm. Like anywhere, quarterback play will be key as the Heels and Pack will both have unproven players under center.
5 — Can Duke win an ACC game? The Blue Devils have 18 starters and 44 lettermen back, so Ted Roof doesn’t lack experience this year. Somewhat-bold prediction … I think Duke breaks through in league play and catches Virginia napping in Charlottesville in Week 2 for what will likely be its only ACC victory.
6 — Can “The Old Ball Coach” get the Gamecocks in the SEC championship? With the likes of Florida, Georgia and Tennessee in the SEC East, it’s going to be tough for Steve Spurrier and USC to make that stride this year. But give Spurrier one or two more solid recruiting classes and the sky is the limit in Columbia, S.C.
7 — Best bet to be in the BCS title game in New Orleans? USC vs. West Virginia. The Trojans are loaded once again out West with Cal being its biggest hurdle in the Pac 10. The Mountaineers are due to represent the Big East in the title game. I like the toughness of WVU to overcome USC’s speed in a high-scoring championship.
8 — Is Tim Tebow ready to be the full-time QB for the Gators? Yes, and it should be a lot of fun to watch. Look for Tebow, used occasionally last year, to tuck it under and run a lot for Urban Meyer’s squad.
9 — Way too early Heisman prediction? RB Darren McFadden of Arkansas. Look for USC QB John David Booty and Michigan’s Michael Hart to also get a lot of Heisman hype.
10 — Is there another Boise State out there? Many think TCU can come on strong out of the Mountain West. If they can pull a big upset at Texas in week 2, the Horned Frogs’ schedule sets up nice the rest of the way.
posted by Gabe Whisnant at
9:18 AM
5 Comments:
Can't believe no mention of the best conference in football, The Big Ten! What about the Buckeyes, Wolverines and most of all Joe Pa's Nittany Lions?
Can't believe that actually might be David Ronay? I thought you were a Kansas State/Big 12 fan ...
How have you been?
Big Ten football, Big 12 basketball the best of both worlds! Doing well, How have you been?
Very nice list. Comments on a few.
1 — Agree on App State if come out of Ann Arbor healthy.
6 — Gamecocks road schedule absolutely brutal, but they got real nice thing going on down there and will be in BCS championship sooner than later.
10 — Sure hope there is another Boise State. Or 2 of them.
roro said...
Big Ten football, Big 12 basketball the best of both worlds! Doing well, How have you been?
Doing well ... great to hear from you.
Shoot me an e-mail sometime at gabewhisnant@shelbystar.com.
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