The Athlon Countdown

M2 · Post by M2 » Sun May 14, 2006 12:25 am

I am starved enough for football at this point that I bookmarked this Athlon site on the internet.

They're doing the top 25, and everyday they put a new team up. It's kinda fun to see if your team is coming up next or even makes it. They talk about each team, etc. Just a little fun to kill the time.

http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/

M2 · Post by M2 » Sun May 14, 2006 4:13 pm

No. 12 Clemson

Clemson enters 2006 with some momentum in the form of a four-game winning streak, and wins in six of its last seven games. There are eight starters back on offense, but one of them isn’t the quarterback. Charlie Whitehurst has turned the reins over to senior Will Proctor, who completed 58 percent of his tosses with three TDs and no INTs last season.

Proctor has a first-rate receiving corps to work with, led by Chansi Stuckey and Aaron Kelly, who combined for 111 catches last fall. But mostly he will be handing off to running back James Davis, the 2005 ACC Rookie of the Year. As a true freshman, Davis ran for 879 yards at well over five yards a carry, with nine scores. He was the MVP of Clemson’s 19–10 Champs Sports Bowl win over Colorado, when he ran for 150 yards against a Buffalo defense ranked 11th in the nation against the run. Reggie Merriweather picked up 715 yards on the ground himself last year and has 1,441 for his career, and he’s back too. And all five starters return on the offensive line, spearheaded by All-ACC guard Roman Fry.

All three starting linebackers — Anthony Waters, Nick Watkins and Tramaine Billie — return after finishing 1-2-3 on the team in tackles. Waters, who lines up in the middle, broke through for 13.5 tackles behind the line and batted down seven passes. End Gaines Adams notched 15 tackles for a loss and 9.5 sacks, and broke up nine passes.

Vito Corleone · Post by **Vito Corleone** » Mon May 15, 2006 4:47 am

Calling my shot for the top 11

11. South Carolina
10. Virgina
9. West Virgina
8. Oklahoma
7. Florida
6. Penn State
5. Texas
4. LSU
3. USC
2. Ohio State
1. Notre Dame

buckeye_in_sc · Post by **buckeye_in_sc** » Mon May 15, 2006 10:16 am

^^^^

Wow Virginia...they call Al Groh mini-Mack now down here in Charlotte (since unlike Mack, Al can't win the big game now)...Virginia always comes out strong against the shit teams they play and then goes in the tank...defensively they might be a little young...

I like the South Carolina pick...if they can get consistent QB play they might make some noise this year...

I'll have to think of mine and post later...

Ken · Post by **Ken** » Mon May 15, 2006 12:33 pm

Vito Corleone wrote:Calling my shot for the top 11

11. South Carolina
10. Virgina
9. West Virgina
8. Oklahoma
7. Florida
6. Penn State
5. Texas
4. LSU
3. USC
2. Ohio State
1. Notre Dame

Naaahh, they'll have WVU higher than that. If I recall, they consistently overrate the 'eers.

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Mon May 15, 2006 1:32 pm

Well, the SEC version of the Sporting News is out in my area. Odd, seeing as how I'm in Michigan. I almost bought it, but I'll be spending enough when the Big 10 versions come out.

Cicero · Post by **Cicero** » Mon May 15, 2006 1:40 pm

I think Virginia is a Top 20 team, but not deserving of the Top 10. There really isnt a clear cut fav this year, so I wont be surprised if the #1 team is any of the following:

Texas
WVa
Oh St
ND

M2 · Post by M2 » Mon May 15, 2006 2:42 pm

No. 11 LSU

Last year, LSU battled through some difficult adversity caused by Hurricane Katrina and won the SEC West and the Peach Bowl under first-year coach Les Miles. This season, the Tigers could be even better, but a challenging road schedule might prevent them from a return trip to the SEC championship game. more.

Vito Corleone · Post by **Vito Corleone** » Mon May 15, 2006 6:31 pm

I opened my computer this morning and the Alton page was still up. I almost started laughing when I saw LSU at #11. It just reminded me why I never buy Altons. LSU at 11 with their team and schedule is a joke. Really what questions do they need to answer, outside of replacing their great RB I can't think of any. I looked at their schedule and it is typical SEC.

2006 Schedule
S. 2 Louisiana-Lafayette
S. 9 Arizona
S. 16 at Auburn
S. 23 Tulane
S. 30 Mississippi State
O. 7 at Florida
O. 14 Kentucky
O. 21 Fresno State
N. 4 at Tennessee
N. 11 Alabama
N. 18 Ole Miss
N. 25 #Arkansas
#Little Rock, AR

Thats right, look closely they have 4 road games this year. And one of the 4 is Little Rock AR. I admit going to Auburn, Tennessee and the Swamp is a tall order but still they are easily top 10 and most everyone I have seen has them top 5.

Still there is the Les Miles factor so maybe 11 is about right.

M2 · Post by M2 » Mon May 15, 2006 9:55 pm

Vito Corleone wrote:Still there is the Les Miles factor so maybe 11 is about right.

Which team will not be in Athlon's Top 10 -- and therefore not in their Top 25?
(Associated rankings are per SI.com's Stewart Mandel)

Auburn (#10)
California (#8)
Florida (#11)
Louisville (#15)
Notre Dame (#3)
Ohio State (#1)
Oklahoma (#6)
Penn State (#19)
Texas (#2)
USC (#7)
West Virginia (#4)

Penn State?

M2 · Post by M2 » Tue May 16, 2006 8:38 am

Athlon Top 10

No. 10 Louisville

PSUFAN · Post by **PSUFAN** » Tue May 16, 2006 1:42 pm

I feel pretty sure that PSU will be underrated in all preseason polls. I think they'll have a chance to be ranked very highly after September, certainly they will be if they beat Notre Dame and OSU (both road games). In fact, if they pull those wins out (unlikely), they'll be ranked in the top 5.

Virginia is no different under Groh than they were under Welsh. They will always be overrated early in the season, and they'll fail against the few good teams they play. Because they'll end with 2-3 losses, the fluff-for-brains that compile preseason rankings will assume they are "up and coming", and rank them too highly again.

Same old same old.

Vito Corleone · Post by **Vito Corleone** » Tue May 16, 2006 8:28 pm

I thought about putting Louisville in at #11 but I couldn't stomach more than one big LEast team anywhere close to my top 10. They just don't deserve it. Put that team in the Big 12 and they are no better than Taco Tech.

Out of the list I created I'm guessing that South Carolina is out.

Vito Corleone · Post by **Vito Corleone** » Tue May 16, 2006 8:31 pm

BTW since Louisville is ranked ahead of LSU take a stap at what the line would be if these two teams met.

My guess
LSU at home -16
Louisville at home +10
Neutral site LSU -12

M2 · Post by M2 » Tue May 16, 2006 8:35 pm

Vito Corleone wrote:I thought about putting Louisville in at #11 but I couldn't stomach more than one big LEast team anywhere close to my top 10. They just don't deserve it. Put that team in the Big 12 and they are no better than Taco Tech.

Out of the list I created I'm guessing that South Carolina is out.

Who do you see at # 9 tommorrow?

I'm guessing Auburn will be sitting there tommorrow.

M2 · Post by M2 » Wed May 17, 2006 5:44 pm

m2 wrote:I'm guessing Auburn will be sitting there tommorrow.

Cha-Ching!

No. 9 Auburn Tigers

Look for The University of California to move into the #8 position.

Spinach Genie · Post by **Spinach Genie** » Wed May 17, 2006 6:31 pm

Vito Corleone wrote:I opened my computer this morning and the Alton page was still up. I almost started laughing when I saw LSU at #11. It just reminded me why I never buy Altons. LSU at 11 with their team and schedule is a joke. Really what questions do they need to answer, outside of replacing their great RB I can't think of any. I looked at their schedule and it is typical SEC.

They've lost a lot of team leaders from the Saban era defense. They have some question at QB as Matt Flynn was the much better looking quarterback rounding out last season. Les Miles didn't impress me very much last season and I'm guessing the sports writers caught that too. The swing point will be the Auburn game for control in the west. If they win that, they're top ten. I guess Athlon doesn't feel that will prove out the case.

M2 · Post by M2 » Thu May 18, 2006 7:59 pm

m2 wrote: Look for The University of California to move into the #8 position.

Damn I'm good!

No. 8 California

If I get tommorrow's pick right, I'm going to have to stop off in Reno on my cross country Roadie which I leave for for in a couple of days.

The #7 spot looks like a good place for the University of Texas.

BlindRef · Post by **BlindRef** » Thu May 18, 2006 8:24 pm

If it isn't Texas will you go away?

Please?

M2 · Post by M2 » Thu May 18, 2006 8:36 pm

BlindRef wrote:If it isn't Texas will you go away?

Please?

Put it this way... if I'm wrong, I'll go.

If I'm right... you go. Deal?

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Thu May 18, 2006 8:50 pm

m2 wrote:Put it this way... if I'm wrong, I'll go.

If I'm right... you go. Deal?

Hmmmmmm

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Thu May 18, 2006 9:01 pm

I'll end the suspense:

7. Texas
6. West Virginia
5. Florida
4. Ohio State
3. USC
2. Notre Dame
1. Oklahoma

M2 · Post by M2 » Thu May 18, 2006 9:11 pm

Killian wrote:I'll end the suspense:

7. Texas
6. West Virginia
5. Florida
4. Ohio State
3. USC
2. Notre Dame
1. Oklahoma

Class Act!

... but not suprising.

Looks like I would of had #6 wrong.

Thanks asshole!

M2 · Post by M2 » Thu May 18, 2006 11:56 pm

Believe the Heupel wrote: Way to go on the plugging in the fake date. :D

It's boorish behavior... a 10 year old would know how to change the date on the computer to make it coinside with the java script. I guess that behavior is condoned here.

There's still 3 and a half months until football starts, and it's fun to have something to anticipate. Anticipation is a good thing.

Shitting on someone else's thread like that, is akin to going to a movie and having some idiot scream out the ending half way through the movie.

It's childish behavior at best.

Adelpiero · Post by **Adelpiero** » Fri May 19, 2006 12:09 am

California (#8

give me a fuckin break

M2 · Post by M2 » Fri May 19, 2006 12:36 am

Adelpiero wrote:California (#8

give me a fuckin break

Who knew? You can be a great student and a top football player.

This is why Cal will never have the issues that go on at schools like Texas, $C, etc.

Actually, quite the opposite may occur...

Mike Tepper

A great kid, and he's almost back and should be able to contribute this season.

Mr T · Post by **Mr T** » Fri May 19, 2006 6:07 am

Believe the Heupel wrote: You, sir, are taking this WAY too seriously.

You dont understand. m2 is not taking this seriously enough. When is the next time m2 will be able to start a thread and not be plungered on page 1?

First time I have ever seen m2 start a thread that reached page 2 before the plungering began.

M2 · Post by M2 » Fri May 19, 2006 6:19 am

Mr T wrote:
Believe the Heupel wrote: You, sir, are taking this WAY too seriously.
You dont understand. m2 is not taking this seriously enough. When is the next time m2 will be able to start a thread and not be plungered on page 1?

First time I have ever seen m2 start a thread that reached page 2 before the plungering began.

It must be the company, kept.

Save another sophomoric response.

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Fri May 19, 2006 1:09 pm

The funny thing is I didn't change the date on my computer, I clicked on their national preview cover and looked at the blurred out teams and made my best guess based on the length of their names. The fact that I got it right, and it pisses m2 off makes it that much funnier.

And if you think it's boorish behavior or I'm an asshole, shut the fuck up and calm down. Like BtH said, it's a fucking preseason mag and the fact that you knew today was Texas, means that you were the one who figured out the little "change the date" trick to try to wow us here. If you really want to "wow" us, try mixing in a quality take or two. That would really knock our socks off.

Vito Corleone · Post by **Vito Corleone** » Fri May 19, 2006 2:46 pm

Killian wrote:I'll end the suspense:

7. Texas
6. West Virginia
5. Florida
4. Ohio State
3. USC
2. Notre Dame
1. Oklahoma

Dear Lord

Please let this list be correct

Sincerely,

Texas Fan who needs a good laugh

SunCoastSooner · Post by **SunCoastSooner** » Fri May 19, 2006 11:39 pm

Vito Corleone wrote:
Killian wrote:I'll end the suspense:

7. Texas
6. West Virginia
5. Florida
4. Ohio State
3. USC
2. Notre Dame
1. Oklahoma
Dear Lord

Please let this list be correct

Sincerely,

Texas Fan who needs a good laugh

Funny because others seem to agree with Athlon...

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/s ... d=tab2pos1

The day in the life of myopic texass fan. What next Sam Snead for Heisman lock?

Vito Corleone · Post by **Vito Corleone** » Sat May 20, 2006 6:33 am

You've got to be pretty good to go 8-4 while rebuilding. Quarterback Rhett Bomar comes into his own as a sophomore, and junior tailback Adrian Peterson is healthy.

Yea, no mention of the shitty oline. It's going to be pretty hard for Bomar to come into his own when he is being constantly Bomared on every other play. It's also going to be equally as hard for Peterson to stay healthy while being Bomared on the plays that Bomar isn't being Bomared.

Translation: your oline sucks and since champions are built in the trenches I don't see ou deserving of a top 5 ranking.

SunCoastSooner · Post by **SunCoastSooner** » Sat May 20, 2006 11:17 am

Vito Corleone wrote:
You've got to be pretty good to go 8-4 while rebuilding. Quarterback Rhett Bomar comes into his own as a sophomore, and junior tailback Adrian Peterson is healthy.
Yea, no mention of the shitty oline. It's going to be pretty hard for Bomar to come into his own when he is being constantly Bomared on every other play. It's also going to be equally as hard for Peterson to stay healthy while being Bomared on the plays that Bomar isn't being Bomared.

Translation: your oline sucks and since champions are built in the trenches I don't see ou deserving of a top 5 ranking.

Our OLine isn't going to suck. Talent wasn't even the issue looking back on last season either. The issue we had last year was chemistry with two players playing out of their natural positions and one of those being the best blocker on the team (Davin Joseph). We had to pull at least 2 redshirts off kids we anticipated redshirting and developing but because of defections we never had the oppertunity. Those kids were thrown to the wolves after having been working with the Scout teams for the previous month. Basically our Oline wasn't prepared for the season coming in. This year is different we have a line coming back where 4 players have had extensive playing time, together, and in their natural positions, we also have two of the top 10 JUCO Olineman in the country who came in and have been working out since Spring with the team. The youngsters started to gel late late season and the team improved greatly because of it.

Translation: Typical Vito running his mouth about teams other than teaxss and we all know that Vito doesn't watch anyone other than Texass; so he doesn't have much room to comment.

King Crimson · Post by **King Crimson** » Sat May 20, 2006 11:38 am

vito's the new expert on "champions". though, i'm getting confused....it used to be "leadership" like Vince....but now it's in the trenches.

what a subtle mind, this one.

Vito Corleone · Post by **Vito Corleone** » Sun May 21, 2006 3:33 am

Leadership is important but if you don't control the LOS your not going to win much. I've seen enough of what you have coming back to realize that your oline sucks.

Shitty players with lots of experience are still shitty. And I can safely say there isn't a single spooner you have starting on the oline that could start for Texas.

You dopes are in for a rude awakening I figure it will probably come at the hands of the Ducks if not it will happen in Dallas.

Vito Corleone · Post by **Vito Corleone** » Tue May 23, 2006 11:44 pm

Show me a link where I claimed this.

It didn't happen

Vito Corleone · Post by **Vito Corleone** » Wed May 24, 2006 12:12 am

Believe the Heupel wrote:Good thinking, numbnuts. I'll get right on providing a link to something on a message board that hasn't been around for three years.

I'm down with the philosophy, though.

Nobody in Texas' offensive backfield could start for OU.
Nobody in Texas' WR corps could start for OU.
Nobody in Texas' LB corps could start for OU.
Frank Okam would start in the OU DL, but that's about it.

Jamal Charles might not start but he would get a lot of snaps.

Do you really think you have better receivers than Billy Pittman or Sweed or even Quan Cosby? I would take what we got coming back over any other team in the nation outside of USC.

As for linebackers there are a few NFL scouts that seem to think the best linebacker in the Big 12 is Killabrew. I think by the time we play you guys the best might be Surgio Kindle. He is a freak of nature on the level of Derek Johnson.

As for the dline. you must be smoking skull's stash if you think you have a better dline than Texas does. Kiper has Tim Crowder rated as a 1st round pick. Not only do we have major talent but we kill you in the depth chart. Texas will rotate 4 DTs and 4 DEs without missing a beat. Get ready to see Henry Melton at his natural position of DE. He is going to be a monster at 6'4 270 and still able to run the 4.6 40. Did I mention Brian Robison is coming back to offer up a few more Bomars to Mr. Bomar.

Vito Corleone · Post by **Vito Corleone** » Wed May 24, 2006 12:27 am

Well considering I have watched the blOwU spring game I can honestly say I was very much underwhelmed by both your oline and dline.

Killian · Post by **Killian** » Wed May 24, 2006 1:51 pm

Vito Corleone wrote: As for the dline. you must be smoking skull's stash if you think you have a better dline than Texas does. Kiper has Tim Crowder rated as a 1st round pick.

Striken from the record. Kiper also has Jeff Samardzija going in the first round.

Vito Corleone · Post by **Vito Corleone** » Wed May 24, 2006 9:56 pm

Killian wrote:
Vito Corleone wrote: As for the dline. you must be smoking skull's stash if you think you have a better dline than Texas does. Kiper has Tim Crowder rated as a 1st round pick.
Striken from the record. Kiper also has Jeff Samardzija going in the first round.

How about we strike the Kiper part since there are lots of scouting reports that have him ranked as one of the top 3 DE next year.

The O-Line had three starters held out.

The D-Line wasn't allowed to stunt.

Beyond that, you're a fucking moron.

Good because both looked like shit. Texas dline also didn't stunt and our oline held out several players as well. But the difference is I know how good both units are because they are stacked with experienced guys who have already performed at a very high level.

I laugh every time I think of your oline going against the Texas dline. Then I think about your dline against the Texas oline and I really don't worry about it.