College Football Mania
Well, the Tribe got dropped by the hottest team in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles. Tell me a month ago I would be typing those words and I would tell you to commit yourself. The Orioles, now 7-1 under new manager Buck Showalter, drilled the Indians in a slugfest 14-8. Not much I can say except, let's hope we get some pitching tonight. Josh Tomlin goes tonight for the Tribe, so get here early to start celebrating before the game even starts. It's in the bag. Let's Go Tribe.
Continuing on after a few days off with my college football previews. Today I would like to finish off with the ACC and Big Ten. Here we go.
ACC: I don't even know where to begin in the ACC. The Atlantic division is a mess. Clemson doesn't have a lot coming back, plus they have to go to Boston College and Virginia Tech. I am not buying the Christian Ponder hype at FSU, although their schedule is favorable if they can steal a win at Miami. The team below the radar is Boston College for me. Last year they managed to go 5-3 in the conference with like 12 freshman starting QB's. And superfreak Mark Herzlich is back from his battle with cancer and looking to prove he is still the man that won the ACC Defensive Player of the year 2 years ago. Dave Shinskie is a year older and 1400+ yard RB Montel Harris is back. They have to travel to Florida State, but get Clemson and Virginia tech at home. I think BC loses at FSU, but 7-1 in the conference is enough to get the job done. As for the Coastal division, I am at a loss. I should probabaly just throw a dart at the dartboard for this one. I really like North Carolina and that defense that they have under Butch Davis. They have 17 starters returning and 9 on the defensive side of the ball that only gave up 270 yards per game and 17 points per contest. Problem is, we don't know if everyone will be there with the current scandal involving the agents flying kids down to Miami. Virginia Tech is too one dimensional and I think Miami has the toughest schedule in the ACC. Miami has to play UNC, FSU and VT at home, but must make road trips to Clemson and Georgia Tech, both teams that don't get beat at home. Assuming the Tarheels can avoid the off the field distractions, I think they will win a jumbled ACC Coastal division with 2 losses and go on to face BC in the conference championship game. In the end, I think a bruising, old school football rumble breaks out and UNC beats BC 12-9 in a battle of field goals and defense. Good luck to whichever team gets to get destroyed in the BCS bowl game they make it to.
Big Ten: The Big Ten, like always, is very top heavy this year. Ohio State, Wisconsin, and Iowa are all at the top and should all have excellent years. Wisconsin has 10 starters back on offense including QB Scott Tolzien and monster RB John Clay who rushed for 1500+ yards last year. Iowa has 8 back on a good defense and 6 back on offense, including interception machine Ricky Stanzi. Stanzi is a gamer though and comes up big when needed. Ohio State has 9 back on offense, including QB TerreIle Pryor, RBs Dan Herron and Brandon Saine, and WR DeVier Posey. The defense only returns 6 starters, but may have the best LB corps since AJ Hawk and company. Cameron Heyward is a freak on the D-Line as well. In the end, I think the Big Ten will end in a three way tie. I think Iowa beats Wisconsin in Iowa City, WIsconsin beats Ohio State in Madison, and Ohio State beats Iowa in Iowa City. Ah, 2012, when the Big Ten will be all grown up and have a championship game like the other big boy conferences. Until then, we will have to make it to opponent's record to decide who will play in the Rose Bowl.
It's all enough to make me want a drink. Let's Get Drunk Cleveland.
Posted by:burg
Added:8/11/10 2:43 PM
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