Welcome to my futures thread, enter any info you'd like on any team you'd like so we can discuss as much as possible to make the most informed decision possible...
2007 record: 56-41-8 (57.7%) +22.127 units...i'm hoping for an even better season this time around.
Here's my thoughts as i did a lot of thinking today at work perusing schedules of a few teams I had interest in (i have only looked quickly at o/u #s so far, but will look more later):
Cincinnati: I got losses @ OU, @ UConn, @ WVU, and @ Hawaii for a 9-4 record... That puts a lot of faith into the new QB Grutzka (sp?), but i think Head Coach Brian Kelly will do even better in his 2nd season at the helm
Colorado: I have wins over Colorado State, E. Wash, West Va, K-State, Iowa State, and Okie State. Losses to FSU, Texas, Kansas, Mizzou, aTm, and Nebraska. Coach Dan Hawkins will be whipping this team into shape, especially with the addition of Freshman RB Darrell Scott and QB Cody Hawkins has a year under his belt.
Michigan: Losses to Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue, & Ohio State. I really think this team will struggle but they have such an easy schedule with Utah, Miami (OH) and Toledo at home OOC that it makes it tough to take that under. I don't see how that offense can work without a quick QB, and Ricky Rod did struggle in his first year at WVU.
Notre Dame: After a terrible season last year i got them at 8-4 with losses @ Michigan State, @ UNC, @ BC, and @ USC. They could probably beat UNC and BC, but i think on the road they'll lose more than 50% of the time. Somehow they could go 10-2 with those 2 wins, but that's mainly because they play SDSU, Stanford, Navy, and Syracuse. I do expect Tenuta to help the D and Clausen to have a much better season in year 2.
Pittsburgh: Don't like the 'stache, but i think Bostick has a lot to show this year and they do have the RB in LeSean McCoy. I think they get to 8-4 with losses @ South Fla, @ Notre Dame, @ Cincy, and @ UConn. They could beat UConn on the road, but i'm a little worried about them playing WVU with redemption on the 'eers minds.
West Virginia: Without RR I think they'll struggle big time this season because he meant everything to that team. Slaton's gone and being replaced by Noel Devine, which should be similar but it's not everything. I have them at 7-5 with losses @ Colorado, vs. Auburn, @ Connecticut, @ Pitt, and @ South Florida, but the easy schedule will help them out to get to this number.
South Florida: I got them 9-3 with losses @ Central Florida, vs. Kansas, and @ Cincy. They lose a few from the secondary, but Groethe returns and they still have the craziest coach in the land.
Texas A&M: I got them at 7-5 in Sherman's first year, but i honestly think it could be worse. I have losses vs. Miami (FL), @ Oklahoma State, vs. Texas Tech, vs. Oklahoma, and @ Texas. I'm really unsure about how Sherman will do at the helm, and there's no way he can get the Ags as fired up for Texas as Coach Fran did, but we'll see.
Texas Tech: I got 8-4 with losses at home against Nebraska, @ KU, vs. Texas, and @ Oklahoma. I can't back that defense winning anything, but Graham Harrell and Crabtree should have a pretty good year on the other side of the ball.
Kansas: I got 8-4 with losses @ Oklahoma, @ Nebraska, vs. Texas, and vs. Mizzou. Yeah i got 'em losing their last 3 after coasting through an easy schedule, but i don't think Reesing nor Mangino will sneak up on anyone this season after their performance last season.
Nebraska: I didn't realize how much i respect Bo Pellini, but i got the 'Huskers at 9-3 with losses to Virginia Tech, Mizzou, and Oklahoma. Joe Ganz and Marlon Lucky should have great years, but it's all about the D and how they respond to the new coach.
Ohio State: 11-1. Only loss in the Rose Bowl to Southern Cal. Wins Big Ten easily and makes the National Championship because they lost early and won late.
Clemson: I can't explain it but i have them 12-0 even with Tommy Bowden heading the team. C.J. Spiller and James Davis should be great along with Cullen Harper heading the team. They lost a little but the D should be good and the ACC is weak. One game that worries me is the starter against 'Bama, and i guess so does the game in Tallahassee @ FSU.
Kansas State: Jordy Nelson is gone, Freeman had an awful 2nd half of the year, and we (Texas) aren't on the schedule. None are good things for the KSU win total, which i have them at 5-7 with 4-straight wins to start and then 7 losses in a row before finishing the season with a win over Iowa State.
Louisville: Not a fan of Kragthorpe, and the team morale has to be low with all the players getting arrested left and right. I got the Cards at 4-8, but they could beat Kentucky & K-State at home which would get them to 6-6. Not sure if that awful defense can do it though, and there's no Brian Brohm behind center.
Kentucky: Got them beating Louisville to start, which could go either way, but i have them beating awful teams in WKU & Norfolk before beating Middle TN State, Arkansas, & Vanderbilt for a 6-6 record that could easily be 5-7. No Woodson, Little seems to always get injured and i have no idea about that D.
Georgia: 10-2 with losses @LSU & @Auburn, but they could also lose to Florida (maybe even Arizona State) having that game right behind LSU whether they win or not. I have them at 10-2 or 9-3. Don't see 11-1 despite what should be a great team that gets plowed versus too tough of a schedule.
Georgia Tech: Paul Johnson's first year will be rough. No Tashard Choice, and not many wins. I got them beating Jacksonville State, Duke and Gardner-Webb, but i don't see them winning anywhere else with the QB as it is and Rashaun Grant being their only good offensive player? The D's good but they're out of Tenuta's hands, and I have them at 3-9 maybe 4-8 or even 5-7 if they can beat UVA and Miami (FL) at home.
Virginia: Opening loss vs. Southern Cal, and wins over Richmond, Duke, East Carolina and maybe at home vs. UNC. I got them 4-8 maybe even 3-9 with their tough schedule. Also could beat UConn on the road, but 5 wins maximum for Al Groh.