Overrated, Underrated, What to Look For

College football is closing in. The Vols play at Cal a week from tomorrow. The Vols play at home 2 weeks from tomorrow. If you haven't been training for football season, you should start. I'm not talking about the weight room.

This year is bound to be a very interesting year in the world's greatest sport. There are many developing stories, and many that are over-hyped. Where to start?

Everyone wants to talk about Michigan in the Big Ten. Everyone wants to talk about Ohio State for no apparent reason. First I would like to say they their "two best programs" got shelled in their bowl games last year by teams who were absolutely superior. However, neither was the superior team in the Big Ten at the end of the season. Not that they would have put up a fight against USC and Florida, but Wisconsin is the team to fear in the Big Ten. Their only problem - their schedule. Wisconsin not only has to play OSU (@Columbus) and Michigan (@home) but home games against Iowa and Michigan State can always cause a stir but the biggest game on their schedule? Traveling to Penn State. The two best teams in the Big Ten, in my opinion, are Penn State and Wisconsin. However the four mentioned big teams all have to play each other. Not saying that the Big Ten is the toughest conference, but they all have about the toughest conference schedules in the country outside the SEC. No one is going undefeated in the Big Ten and if they do, they will undoubtedly play for a National Championship, and maybe rightfully so. Watch out for upstart teams...Iowa doesn't have UM or OSU on the books this year. Oh, and Ron Zook can only recruit, he can't coach.

I don't see USC running the table. Their team is much like it was last year. Very good, but where is the marquis name? John David Booty isn't it. They have all the talent in the world, but losing in that conference last year was inexcusable. If they did it once, they can do it again. Expect them to be the best coached team in America, but unless Joe McKnight transforms into a marquis player, not just a marquis name, look for them to get upset again within their conference.

The second best coached team in America might really scare some people this year. Oklahoma is quietly a top ten team. If they can put their team together, watch out. They have their three biggest games of the season about one month apart from each other: 9/8 home against Miami, 10/6 Texas, and 11/3 home against A&M. That gives adequate time to prepare for each game. All of the focus in the Big 12 is on Texas and Colt McCoy. The winner of the Red River Shootout has a serious shot at taking on the Big East champ for the national title. Today, I'd take OU. Ask me again on 10/5 to see what the update is.

It's exciting to see so many great out of conference match ups. Nebraska vs. USC. UT vs. Cal. Miami vs. OU. Miami vs. A&M. These are just a few of the non-regulars that are on the schedule. Seeing teams challenge themselves out of conference is a joy to watch. It also gives fans the chance to experience other campuses. At 10AM last year before the UT/Cal game, some "dudes" came running through fraternity park looking for the ATO house. Running for exercise. We laughed as we had been drinking since 8. It was a late afternoon game. Pac-10 Amateurs.

I really don't like Florida making a run at a 4th straight major championship. Why? Schedule is too tough and I don't think Tebow is ready. Next year, the UF/UT game could be the biggest game of the year. This year? Even if UF has a huge season, I think by season's end FSU's offense will have all its kinks ironed out. The UF/FSU game is always my favorite game to watch. There is more talent on display there than in any other athletic competition in the world. Also, more criminals. Regardless; throw everything out the door on that game. If the Gators are making another run, the Noles will end it.

Arkansas is a scary team as I've said before. If he doesn't get hurt, the only way Darren McFadden can't win the Heisman is if ESPN doesn't let him. I don't see that happening. But the team is a big problem for all other SEC teams. No one matches up well against the Razorbacks. If there is a team that has a shot at running the table in the SEC, it's Arkansas.