Program Alert!

Lady and Gentleman:
Unfortunately, the real world has caught up to the No Owens staff. As all four of you have probably noticed, the posts are fewer and much further between. As much as I wish this wasn't the case, time is becoming an issue. So my new commitment is to do one post, on Friday, every week. This gives an entire week to digest what's happening and throw it out there and go big on one day. If something should happen post worthy mid-week you may get a treat, but from here on out, plan on Fridays from No Owens.

There are a number of things to plan on as well since college football is a lot closer than you think. I mean, when it's time to pay up for season tickets, you know it's coming at you fast. Speaking of fast, the big question is going to be centered around who comes out of the SEC East. Georgia is the safe pick right now for sure, and rightfully so. At the end of last year, one could argue they were playing better than anyone else. Too bad the Vols put up 28 in the first half on them.

Georgia has a big issue and that's their schedule. Sure, they go to Arizona State early, but let's face it; they have no business losing that game. But that starts quite the run of games (after they play Georgia Southern and Central Michigan) : at South Carolina, at ASU, home against Alabama, Tennessee and Vandy, then at LSU and Florida in the Jax. I mean, seriously. That's pretty bad. Not to mention after that stretch they get Kentucky, then Auburn and GT. Two tough rivalry games to end the year is brutal. Georgia can be as good as they want to be, but that schedule is pretty awful. If they make it through with just one loss, I mean, they need to be playing for the title. I think they are good enough, but that's just too much for anyone to overcome. I think.

So where does that put Florida? The Gators very quietly have a top-heavy interesting schedule. They open with Hawaii and Miami at home before going to Tennessee. They have a nice couple of easy games between UT and LSU, and then between LSU and Georgia. Their schedule is very nicely set up for a shot at it. The question becomes, just how good are they? Sure we know about Tebow and Harvin, and we know their defense is young, untested, and very talented. I just don't see them stopping many good teams early in the season. I mean, Miami is going to be better and as athletic as the Gators. This is a bold statement even for me to make, but Tennessee's secondary is as athletic if not more than Florida's skill position players. Florida has owned Tennessee recently, but this year at home I think the Vols get their first win against Urban Meyer.

I think the East is going to end up like it did last year with three teams tied at the top. I see Tennessee, Georgia and Florida all going 11ish-2. So where does that leave everyone else?

Well, USC and Ohio State play early in the year at the Colosseum. What does that mean? Well Ohio State has no business losing to anyone besides Southern Cal. Aside from USC, they play a soft Big Ten schedule and Michigan is completely a wild card this year. So what does that mean? Ohio State is going to play for another national title this year, and neither you nor I can do anything about it. It's just the nature of the beast. I mean, let's face it, the Big Ten right now is no more competitive than the Big East. How much better is Ohio State than West Virginia? And then after those schools, what is there? Rutgers is about as good as your Michigan States. I'll take South Florida right now over just about anyone outside of Columbus. Again, I'm a Pitt fan and I think their going to surprise some people this year. I mean, the second best team in the Big Ten got run out of the stadium by the best Pac Ten team. They should have been able to compete. USC dominated Illinois like Georgia dominated Hawaii. Luckily, Ohio State has "tradition" on their side.

Then we get to USC. They don't play anyone either. Don't tell that to ESPN though. You know cause ESPN always seems to think that USC has the toughest schedule in America...go back and find my post about the USC/ESPN conspiracy theory if you want more. But they always lose to someone they shouldn't like UCLA or Stanford or Oregon State. So accept that for what it is. So say you've got a 12-1 Ohio State, an 11-2 USC and a bunch of SEC teams with two losses. Where are we?

Hello Missouri. Hello OU. Texas isn't going to be as good and honestly, don't expect the same KU to show up. But there should be a one loss Big 12 team staring down Ohio State when it comes down to it. Unless even they knock themselves off. But I mean, Missouri is going to be tough. Really tough. I don't want anything to do with those guys this year at all. Neither should you. They would do things to Ohio State that are not safe. Not to mention, OU is going to be back strong with Justine Henin at quarterback. I mean Sam Bradford. Yeah, they look exactly alike.

What conclusions have we come to today? None really. But there's a lot to ponder. But it's more fun to think about college football than it is to talk subjectively about the Yankees issues, Roger Clemens, and what exactly is happening in the small markets in baseball. Well, that might be fun, and maybe next week, but we all need a college football kick every once in a while. And oh yeah, like I said, there will never be a playoff in college football, nor should there be.

But it is coming and it's coming fast. Just like Eric Berry. This year's season is going to be full of more stories and controversies than even last year. You just wait for it.