Preface - This is not a preseason, midseason or postseason ranking. This is what I think are the top 8 teams in the nation for this season. Should be right now and at the end of the season
#8 - Boise State
Call me unwilling to accept Butler in the Championship Game. But, the little guys climbing to the top of the mountain just doesn't seem possible, not when the big boys are recruiting/paying better, building better and playing (consistently) better. Boise State has been the sexy, household name. But now? They are a pick to win it all. Enjoy that bullseye boys. I just don't think they dodge enough arrows to stay in the top 5. They'll lose once and that's all it takes.
#7 - Iowa
They will be the rich girl prom date of 2010. Looks good when you pick her up, delivers the whole night, flirts well and then leaves you with turquoise nuts at the end of the night. The Hawkeyes were awesome a few years back, when you just knew that Kirk Ferentz would leave. He didn't, they got worse and then "Hello!" they're back. Just like Boise, a lot of big expectations, and a schedule that will wet your appetite (cupcakes, big boys at home) until Ohio State comes in on November 20th. I'm guessing that will be a top 5 battle. You know who I think will win.
#6 - Texas
No Colt McCoy, no problem. Ummm... How many times did Mack Brown stroke Colt's awesomeness last year? He knows something. That's all I need. They won't be a top 5 team. But they are Texas.
#5 - Oklahoma
I have no idea why Oklahoma will be a top 5 team. They are due for a Red River win? People smarter than me really like their chances? Bob Stoops is no longer elite, so he needs to prove himself? Sure, all of the above. (What, you got a problem with that prediction? What if I get it right? A complete shot in the dark. That's how much this prediction business is worth)
#4 & #3 - Florida and Alabama
There should be two national championships. Like the good ol' days. I want a Nebraska-Michigan split. Only this time, it goes to the SEC champion. The SEC is the NFL of college football. It's faster, bigger, better and just intimidating as hell week to week. Neither of these teams will breathe from the beginning of October to the end of November. If, for some reason, they make it to the SEC title game undefeated, the winner should automatically get rings, a trophy and all of the bling that normally comes from their boosters. Nick Saban got 10 minutes of smiling in after the championship game. Urban Meyer healed his panic attacks by taking a leave of absence that lasted shorter than a routine physical. Oh yeah, bring it on SEC!
(So, that leaves two teams that waltz into the top 2 because of the beating alluded to above)
#2 - USC
I hate rooting for blatantly obvious cheaters. Especially programs that cheat, and then hire a dirtier coach. I was on the USC bandwagon for the Pete Carroll era and loved every minute of it. USC was the cocky bully from high school who could beat your ass, but then show up in the principal's office and eloquently talk his way out of trouble. You loved to hate them because they were so damn good. They should've won it all after Joe McKnight carried them down the field in the Horseshoe last year. They didn't. Now, they can't play for anything. I'd like to say that they'll run the table with their middle finger in the air the whole time. Snoop Dog style biatch! But, I'll slot them in here because of a number of questions (Barkley's development, defensive talent to replace, media confusion)
#1 - Ohio State
I really like the balance of the schedule (@Wiscy and @Iowa are spread out). I really like Pryor 3.0 (or at least the thought of it). I like the Vest. I like how they have rebuilt their roster to compete a little better with the fast teams since the title game meltdowns. What's not to like? Yep, that's sufficient evidence.
But, does that mean Ohio State is your national champion? Maybe not. Why? Because we have a playoff. Yes, a playoff! Novel idea isn't it? It's my preview, so I've cut through all of the politics and university presidents and made the playoff happen
Quarterfinals
Ohio State beats Boise State
Iowa gets a bye because USC is not allowed off the bus
Alaorida brings back 2010 Rose Bowl memories in punking Texas
Florbama runs the score up on Oklahoma
Semis
Ohio State plays in a freakishly late-season topical storm in the Orange Bowl against Alaorida. Tressell panics and opens in the wishbone. He even tries to play four corners at one point, bringing in Thad Matta as offensive coordinator. Buckeyes win 2-0
Florbama beats Iowa (really no contest; Iowa was offered the opportunity to forfeit, but declined)
Finals
Ohio State loses handily to Florbama, so much so that Ohio State debates leaving the Big Ten and joining the SEC to try and figure out how to recruit. 6 months after the epic blowout, it is determined that half of Florbama's roster, who all got drafted in the summer of 2011 were at a party at LeBron's new house in Miami, where Drew Rosenhaus' Clone showed up with a bag full of plasmas, Cristal and Latinas. The NCAA finds this to be an improper benefit, nullifying their national championship and awarding Ohio State the top spot.
See, I really don't think Ohio State is #1, or do I?!?
- Will
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