Who can we look for in the national title race in the fall of 2007?

Question

I know that Texas and Oklahoma will have the big 12 wrapped up, and you can never count out USC. But who else will make the defending champ. Gators shake in their boots?

Answer 1

Florida has a tough schedule in the SEC and Tebow is awesome, but 07 isn't their year. Arkie is gonna backfire. I like LSU, Auburn, or Tennessee from the SEC.

The end of regular season will probably look like this:
1) USC
2) Auburn
3) Louisville
4) Michigan
5) Texas
6) LSU
7) Wisconsin
8) Nebraska
9) South Carolina/Tennessee
10) FSU

Darkhorse team
Bama/TCU

Boise St. will not repeat as an undefeated team. Auburn gets #2 only if they can beat Florida on the road.

My two cents

Answer 2

With apologies to the questioner, I have to address the first post before I answer your question.

Squad - How in God's name does a team that wins the national championship game by 4 td's not deserve to be there????? I defy anyone, let alone you, to explain that in a way that makes a shred of sense. Michigan loses to OSU and that makes them, somehow, better than Florida??? Michigan and OSU were overrated. The bowl season made that clear. And Boise? Hey, there's a high school team where I live that was undefeated too. Maybe they should have played for the national championship. Look, strength of schedule matters. Florida should not have been penalized for playing in the SEC and Boise should not have been rewarded for playing NOBODY. The Fiesta Bowl was one of the best football games I've ever seen, but, you know, Oklahoma was barely a top ten team, and Boise barely beat them. Oklahoma lost in similar fashion to Oregon. Would you argue that Oregon deserved consideration as the best team in the nation? Had the same Oregon team emerged undefeated from the Big Sky conference you probably would. Texas??? I'm not even going to waste time talking about that suggestion.
On to the question...

Forget about Michigan. They have a lot returning but so does SC and we all saw the Rose Bowl. Florida has to replace so much defensive talent and defense was their strength last year. It's similar to what happened to SC last year having to replace so much offensive talent. They can't be considered the frontrunners. USC and LSU figure to be the top dogs. Florida can challenge if their young talent steps up enough, but there's a reason why teams rarely repeat as national champs.

Answer 3

USC only lost 3 seniors and 1 junior last year. They are going to be the same team as last year, only better, stronger, bigger, and smarter. They have a back-up quarterback that was the number 1 highschool prospect in the country 2 years ago as their second string. They have basically the top 5 running back prospects in the country in the last 2 years, Turner at wide reciever was a #1 prospect and their middle linebacker Rey Maualuga has got to be a front-runner for the Butkus Award next year for best linebacker in the nation.

Other contenders will be probably Michigan b/c they have a ton of returning players as well. But I think some teams to watch will be Arkansas with McFadden, West Virginia has their running back Slaton coming back (I think the best runner in the country), and Texas always recruits well so they cant be counted out either. Ohio State lost a lot of skill position players so they will slide a bit and I think that Florida was overrated last year anyway but they'll probably be ok again as well.

Answer 4

First off, the Gators did NOT deserve to play in the NC game last season. There were so many other teams deserving it. Boise State deserved it more, Michigan deserved it more, hell even Texas did.

But watch for USC and Michigan this year. USC has got some hot new prospects, and theyr'e bringing back great players.. Same with Michigan. Don't count out Boise State either, they're the top of their conference and have a chance to go undefeated again. They could make it to the NC. BCS sucks anyways.... need playoffs

Answer 5

USC, Michigan, FSU with losing only 3 or 4 starters and a new offense, Texas, I also have a Cinderella Story in Pittsburgh and Virginia

What I really love is all those drunk Gator fans who think Florida can repeat just so you know we are talking football here not basketball, they have lost there entire defense and Chris Leak.

Answer 6

I'm an Oregon State Beaver fan but i think the Ducks have a shot at it it there only though road game is Michigan but that's the 2nd game of the season so if u lose that u have time 2 recover and all the rest r being played at rowdy autzen stadium including usc, arizona st., cal they could possibly make a run

Answer 7

Florida loses to NC at NC (ex-coaches dream) then loses the SEC Champ. Game to Arkansas (the Hogs give LSU their 2nd Loss Nov. 24, their 1st loss was to Fla.) Ark. will probably lose one along the way but 1 loss and a victory over Fla. puts the in the title game against USC.

Answer 8

I still love the idiots that don't think Florida deserved to be in the NC game, especially after Mich had it's *&$% handed to them.

You want change? GET A CONFERENCE CHAMP GAME! Your own SCHOOL vetoed getting a champ game, so it's not our faults you sat on your behinds, AND have a coach that won't go to bat for you.

Better yet get a playoff. It'd been nice to whup Michigan AND Ohio State.

As for this year, Gators repeat baby.


Hmmmm, said the Gator...tastes like Heisman.

Answer 9

I don't know if there's any reason to count out USC. They will always be in contention because of their top recruiting class history since Pete Carroll's taken over.

Answer 10

you should have your eyes on the big east West Virginia and Louisville will be in the race. Texas will have a good shot because Colt McCoy will be more comfortable with the offense