Thoughts on Spring Practice

Spring practice has come and gone. 3 1/2 more months of college football-less Saturday nights. 3 1/2 more months of the NBA playoffs dominating the sports channels. Unless, of course, Stern decided to make the series best out of 9 with 2 days in between games. I personally learned a lot this spring, but not just from on the field happenings. I learned that all of the major newspapers and ESPN writers think that this is finally "the year" for the Buckeyes of Ohio State...that last year they were "young and inexperienced", but this year they are older, wiser, and bigger.

To me, this sounds a lot like the team that was crushed by the Gators 2 years ago. The only difference is that Todd Boeckman can't outrun a Big 10 defensive player. Off topic a bit, James Laurinitis is going to be a FORCE at middle linebacker for OSU. Despite playing in the Big 10, the guy's going to be a great NFL player. He really took over in some of the games last year. RB Chris Wells also played really well in Ohio State's biggest games last year. If he can step up his game again this year, Ohio State could make it to 3rd Straight National Championship Game.

Big 10 or no Big 10, Laurinitis is regarded as most as the best defensive player in the country. On the opposite side of the ball, RB Chris Wells hopes to state his case for the Heisman trophy against USC in their September matchup.


I'll post more entries later on more of my thoughts from spring, but here's a look at my preseason Top 10:

1. USC Trojans: With their only major loss on offense being QB John-David Booty, the Trojans have one goal in mind this year: National Championship. Mark Sanchez looked promising filling in when Booty was injured last fall, and C.J. Gable is most likely going to have a huge year. Barring a few key injuries, USC's defense will be stellar again, part of the reason they're sitting at #1 on my board

Mark Sanchez cost USC their title hopes last year by losing to 40 point underdog Stanford. With the help of star RB C.J. Gable, can he lead this Trojan team to a National Championship win?

2. Georgia Bulldogs: Although maybe the best team in the country, the Bulldog's schedule is without a doubt the toughest in the country. With a balanced offense and solid defense, the Bulldogs were one of the 2 hottest teams [the other being the Trojans] at the end of last year.

Knowshon Moreno played stellar all of last year after starting RB Thomas Brown went down. If Moreno goes down this year, who will replace him?

3. Oklahoma Sooners: With a favorable schedule and QB Sam Bradford and RB Allen Patrick leading the way, this Sooner team hopes to lead the nation for the second time in a row in touchdowns. With an offensive line regarded as the best in the country they could easily do so again.

4. Florida Gators: With QB Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin on the same field together, you know there's point to be scored. Florida also adds former USC RB Emmanuel Moody to the mix, and a healthy Chris Rainey could spell nightmares for defenses across the country. If their defense is solid, they may be headed to Miami in January.

What is Tim Tebow thinking about more? Heisman or National Championship?

5. Ohio State Buckeyes: Even though they're not the 5th best team in the country, their bad schedule [besides USC early] and public backing from sportswriters across the country could get them into the National Championship for the third time in a row. James Laurinitis is un-doubtedley [and deservedly so] the best defensive player in the country, and Chris Wells is already a frontrunner for the Heisman.

6. Missouri Tigers: Returning Heisman finalist Chase Daniels will lead the way for the Tigers along with sophmore kick-returner/receiver Jeremy Maclin. Missouri, like Oklahoma has a favorable schedule, not having to play major Big 12 schools including Oklahoma, Texas Tech, and Texas A&M.

Jeremy Maclin was a force to be reckoned with in his freshman year. Can he and returning QB Chase Daniels lead Missorui to BCS bowl game?

7. West Virginia Mountaineers: WVU's only key loss from last year was junior RB Steve Slaton, who surpisingly left for the NFL draft after having a down year. WVU does return senior QB Pat White and sophmore RB Noel Divine, both who played huge roles in WVU winning a BCS bowl. New coach Bill Stewart seems to be a good fit for this experienced WVU team.

8. Clemson Tigers: After a dissapointing end to their season last year, Clemson hopes to rally behind their experienced offensive weapons. QB Cullen Harper is considered by many to be a Heisman sleeper, and winning the ACC would definitely help his resume.

9. Auburn Tigers: With LSU losing predicted starting QB Ryan Perrilloux, Auburn might be the team to beat in the SEC West. The newly installed spread offense [at Auburn, from traditional I- formation offense] seems to fit sophmore QB Kodi Burns like a glove. Auburn hopes to have another solid defense in the upcoming year, but if Burns can't handle the starting job, the Tigers have no chance at winning the SEC West.

Freshman QB Kodi Burns had a lot to celebrate after scoring the game-winning touchdown in Auburn's bowl game, but is he ready to handle the starting job this year?

10. Texas Longhorns: Although Texas lost star RB Jamaal Charles to the NFL draft, QB Colt McCoy hopes to rebound from a dissapointing sophmore season. This Texas team can go only as far as he takes them.

That's it for today, I'll post another entry within a week. Leave a comment!

-]~W:I:L:L~[-