Life, Back to Normal

Or at least close to it.

Tonight, we finally get college football back. Sure, there isn't really anything exciting to watch match up-wise. I mean, South Carolina and NC State being your #1 option?

Great! It's COLLEGE FOOTBALL!

As previously stated and now quite late, the preseason predictions.

ACC: The ACC is pretty much a terrible conference right now. If this was 1999, things would be different. But it's almost ten years later. What is Florida State going to do? I actually really like Miami this year. I really like Miami. I think Miami is going to play Florida a lot tighter in week two than anyone thinks. But they are at least one year away. Clemson is again, a top ten team going into the year. Their quarterback, apparently, is a big time player, along with their two-headed monster in the backfield, on paper, say that Clemson is the favorite. Well, I don't buy it. I'll take Virginia Tech.

Big 10: Who's going to beat Ohio State? Outside of USC? If Ohio State loses a conference game this year, they should fire Jim Tressel. Period. They have no business whatsoever losing a game in that conference. The Big 10 is abysmal. Ohio State should walk over that conference.

Big 12: As far as I'm concerned, the Big 12 is the most intriguing conference in the nation this year. There are a number of teams at the top of that conference that can get it done, and Texas isn't one of them. Oklahoma and Missouri are great teams with great offenses. So is Texas Tech, who has probably the greatest offense in America. I think Texas Tech, this year, is a serious threat Oklahoma and the national picture. On paper, Oklahoma is the most balanced team in the conference and they should win the conference. I like Oklahoma, but Missouri sure is tempting. I've gone back and forth on this for weeks, but I see Missouri in the North and Oklahoma in the South with OU winning the rematch.

Big East: Again, West Virginia has no business losing any game, outside of their mid-season clash with Auburn, this year if Pat White stays healthy. If Pat White stays healthy, he should win the Heisman as he's the most dynamic and valuable player in the country. If he doesn't, well, then there's an issue. I think one way or the other, White will stay healthy enough to get WVU into another BCS game, but they his health could get them into a title game. If they're lucky.

Pac-10: Why shouldn't USC win this conference? I don't know, but for some reason, I just don't really like the Trojans this year. I could be wrong, very wrong. But to me they don't seem as strong as they have in previous years. Part of the problem with how great "those" USC teams were is that it's so hard to replace such great players, and Mark Sanchez, though a highly touted recruit, is not Matt Leinart. Personally, I think Joe McKnight is the most overly hyped recruit I've possibly ever seen. Sure, a lot of that has to do with him being "The Next Reggie Bush" but you can't expect that, and he's not in Bush's class. Oh, and who's going to catch the ball? Patrick Turner hasn't blossomed in LA. Their big TE is gone. USC is going to have a great defense, as usual, but they aren't going to be able to get by on defense alone when their offense, probably isn't the best in the Pac-10. Watch for a very competitive Pac-10 this year. I'm going to go on a limb, but I like Oregon to win the conference. And watch out for Arizona to win a at least one big game. They are going to score points.

SEC: Ah yes, the SEC. This year, I think the SEC is too competitive for it's own good. That being said, I think there are some teams coming back to the pack. Look, Georgia isn't the best team in the country. I don't know who is. But they have a lot of trouble catching the football and that's not going to be helped with their starting left tackle out. Their defense isn't what it was last year. And they were hot last year. How long can a hot streak last? Sure, everyone has their flaws, just like Florida's entire defense has. Florida is going to score their points, and they will make their big plays on defense. Is Tennessee a better team than both the Dawgs and Gators? I don't know, but I think they are all on a much more even playing field than the experts think. In the West, it's obviously LSU and Auburn, and I'm not quite sold on Auburn. Though I see Auburn beating Tennessee at Auburn, I still think I like LSU. They are just as strong everywhere on the field as they were last year, and mind you, Glenn Dorsey was banged up all year, so what's the difference? My prediction is this: Tennessee beats Florida in Knoxville, for Florida's only conference loss, Tennessee loses at Auburn and at Georgia, and Georgia loses to LSU, Florida, and someone else down the road. LSU bounces back and beats Florida (who will lose to Florida State) in the SEC Championship game with Tennessee and LSU representing the SEC in the BCS. How's that sound?

All things considered, I think Oklahoma will beat Ohio State for the National Title. I don't see Pat White staying healthy enough to get WVU there. He hasn't done it in the past, I don't see it starting now. Unfortunately, I don't see Pat White winning the Heisman either. Though he should, it looks like he won't. Tebow will be there with Florida playing the the post season, but his numbers won't be the same. ESPN will find a way to get him there though. Keep in mind, last year Tebow won the award by default...If I had to take someone today, I'd take Beanie Wells. Should he win it? I don't know, probably not. But there isn't going to be anyone in the north to challenge his votes.

It's back, it's back tonight, and most notably on Monday night. But get ready for a wild year in college football. We aren't lucky enough to have a '99 Florida State team that everyone knows is going to run the table, no questions asked. So get ready for the debates at the bars with your buddies, because this year is going to get flat out nasty.