SouthernPigskin.com national columnist Charlie K. announces his teams to watch for this fall:
All across the country there is that college football fan that is anxiously awaiting August to get here signaling the official opening of the 2009 college football season. That guy, as I will refer to him, has bought up most of the college football preseason magazines. Yes, like you he’s spent a ton of money on such. It’s amazing to me how expensive those rags have gotten. But I guess that’s another column for another day. Anyway, he has read the various college football websites on a daily bases since about May and he has already bought his tickets, reserved his rooms and made travel arrangements for the fall to attend both home and away games. In some cases he has even looked into bowl season travel.
He is “that guy”. We all know him and in fact many of us are him. Our entire summer or most of it evolves around the anticipation of the fall and college football season. It’s a painful life for some of us as literally we count down the days until the freshmen report. We constantly visit our favorite school’s forums and the SouthernPigskin.com message boards. Guys and Gals, we have the fever. We are overcome with it.
Part of the trials and tribulations of being “that guy” is the frustration of reading the various pre-season reports and previews and wondering why they are so off on our favorite team? We wonder why each website or magazine predicts we will only win seven games or won’t win our division. With that said, I want some of you to know that Charlie K. hears you loud and clear. After spending millions of hours in our very own and newly designed SouthernPigskin.com think tank, I’ve developed a list of teams to watch this fall; teams that frankly aren’t getting nearly enough love from the radio talking heads, preseason prognosticators, rival team’s co-workers, the wife and anyone else who just doesn’t get it about your team.
Without any more of a monologue, the teams to watch:
First off, I have to give a shout out to “that guy” who loves his Kansas Jayhawks. With quarterback Todd Reesing returning for what seems like his 9th year of eligibility, the Jayhawks will showcase a great offense. They return their top five rushers and top four receivers. The offense will be explosive no doubt. Add in the fact that Kansas plays in a league that plays defense like it’s touch football, the fact that they return seven starters and I think it’s safe to say the Jayhawks are a team to watch. Add that their toughest conference game will be at home against Oklahoma and I think Kansas is a team to watch. They could go undefeated in September if they can get past Southern Mississippi. Jayhawk fan, I like your team. I hear you loud and clear.
And speaking of Southern Mississippi, Golden Eagle fan I equally hear you also. The Golden Eagles return 19 starters. That’s right, ONE NINE and that’s a whole lot of experience on the field. It appears you’re the most talented team in Conference USA and you are going to have a chance to show the nation how good you really are. With Virginia at home, and matchups at Kansas and Louisville your schedule is set up that if you win those out of conference games it will be serious chest thumping time. The last game of the year, at East Carolina, could tell the tale in the league, but I like your chances. Nineteen returning starters and there is nothing better than experience and team chemistry. You got both and I feel your excitement.
My Irish friends have been beaten down and disappointed for what seems like years now. Even a bowl win didn’t help with their sorrow. I feel their pain sometimes when they try to convince me or perhaps themselves that Charlie Weis is their guy and this is the year. But you know what Notre Dame fan, I think you are due. With 15 returning starters and a now experienced quarterback in Jimmy Clausen, you have reason to be excited. Then when you take a look at your schedule, you can win your first five. Winning early is bigger for Notre Dame this year than perhaps anytime in recent Irish history. With the experience you have, winning early will provide a big boost of confidence that you desperately need. After those five wins you’ll need that week off before USC comes calling. After the USC game you have all winnable games left on the schedule. This could be the big year Irish fan, this could be the year.
At Louisville some fans are thinking five wins. Forget that idea as the Cards will be improved and could be one of the surprise teams in the nation. UCLA returns 16 starters and the Pac Ten is down some this year. If Miami rolls into Tallahassee and beats FSU and can somehow manage a few early wins with their brutal schedule, they could develop into a category five hurricane by season end. And last but not least nobody is talking about South Carolina. If Stephen Garcia can develop in Steve Spurrier’s offense, the Gamecock defense is good enough to win with. Also, Spurrier thrives as an underdog and he will be exactly that in all their conference road games. Expect the unexpected in Columbia.
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