Sgt. Ryan Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Field of dreamers By Matt Hayes - SportingNews.com It's impossible to mention 2004 national title contenders without beginning with Southern California, which returns 17 starters and many talented backups who haven't even smelled the field. Still, don't think there won't be a couple of surprises from the teams that have at least a chance to beat USC to the finish line. OKLAHOMA The defense, the foundation of OU's success under coach Bob Stoops, will change with the loss of some key players and co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops. But the offense that scored 50-plus points seven times returns intact. The passing game will carry the offense in most games, but OU must find a way to run with more success, possibly by adding more zone blocking instead of relying on a line built for pass blocking to clear the way in the running game with man blocking assignments. GEORGIA No team in the SEC has more talent. The Bulldogs stumbled home in 2003 with an inordinate amount of injuries -- 25 players missed at least one game -- and still won 10 games. Georgia found a talented 20-carry tailback in freshman Kregg Lumpkin, and a nasty defense will get back stud defensive linemen Will Thompson and Kedric Golston from seasonlong injuries. Quarterback David Greene didn't have spectacular numbers but made huge strides in his junior season considering injuries handcuffed the running game. Coach Mark Richt says Greene is as good as any quarterback he has coached -- including Heisman Trophy winners Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke. LSU The potential loss of underclass NFL draft-eligible prospects -- wideout Michael Clayton, defensive ends Marcus Spears and Marquise Hill and linebacker Lionel Turner -- would leave the Tigers with inexperience at positions that carried the team this season. Players from coach Nick Saban's nationally ranked recruiting classes are moving into starting positions -- wideouts Skyler Green and Dwayne Bowe and defensive tackle Brandon Washington -- and LSU still will be the class of the SEC West. But the league schedule includes games at Georgia and Florida, a brutal road to a third league championship in four years. FLORIDA STATE The good news: The 'Noles are loaded offensively, with as much talent as any team this side of USC. Offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden says FSU will develop ways to get tailbacks Leon Washington and Lorenzo Booker in the game at the same time, isolating them in space on slower linebackers. Now, the bad news: The defense has to be overhauled, but young linebackers Ernie Sims and A.J. Nicholson and defensive end Kamerion Wimbley are stars in waiting. TEXAS The Longhorns are part of this list on talent alone, certainly not because of their big-game history. At some point, Texas will stumble into a win of significance. Or maybe not. Dual-threat quarterback Vincent Young will be more dangerous with a better grasp of the offense, and the loss of tailback Cedric Benson won't hurt as much with the emergence of Selvin Young, who some on staff believe could have won the job from Benson this season had he been completely healthy. Staff writer Matt Hayes covers college football for Sporting News. Email him at mhayes@sportingnews.com and include your name and location. link http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/news?slug=fi...v=tsn&type=lgns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Ryan Posted January 5, 2004 Author Share Posted January 5, 2004 Whats missing from this article? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trojanmojo Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 I don't see Miami there shrug and they should almost always be included. I would replace Texas with Miami as there's no way Texas beats OU and/or KSU. I also think FSU loses at least 2-3 games. The days of FSU dominance are over. The rest of the list looks good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davearm Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Sgt. Ryan: Whats missing from this article? Relevance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeohiostate Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Any writer that includes Texas on a list of possible National Champions that is not at least 35 teams long has credibility issues. :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Ryan Posted January 5, 2004 Author Share Posted January 5, 2004 Trojanmojo: I don't see Miami there shrug and they should almost always be included. I would replace Texas with Miami as there's no way Texas beats OU and/or KSU. I also think FSU loses at least 2-3 games. The days of FSU dominance are over. The rest of the list looks good. Thats what I thought at first glance, but Brock Berlin is not the answer at QB, Gore is a play away from his 3rd knee surgery in 3 yrs. Winslow is gone and the defense is losing most of its talent to the NFL. But I was referring to the lack of Big 10 interest. Navare and Perry graduating are probably why Michigan is not on this list. Texas has more talent than all but maybe 3-4 teams in the country, they just have a coach that cant win a big game to save his life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trojanmojo Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Sgt. Ryan: Trojanmojo: I don't see Miami there shrug and they should almost always be included. I would replace Texas with Miami as there's no way Texas beats OU and/or KSU. I also think FSU loses at least 2-3 games. The days of FSU dominance are over. The rest of the list looks good. Thats what I thought at first glance, but Brock Berlin is not the answer at QB, Gore is a play away from his 3rd knee surgery in 3 yrs. Winslow is gone and the defense is losing most of its talent to the NFL. But I was referring to the lack of Big 10 interest. Navare and Perry graduating are probably why Michigan is not on this list. Texas has more talent than all but maybe 3-4 teams in the country, they just have a coach that cant win a big game to save his life. Well, Miami just recruited the #1 QB in the land last year so maybe they could plug him in. I know b/c USC lost out to him at the last minute to Miami, then got Booty (the QB LOL). I can't fathom Miami not being able to get enough offense but it's true that Berlin sucks arse. I think Ohio State could get some love here also but isn't Krenzel a Senior? We know Clarrett won't be back so shrug ... I don't really see anyone from the Big-10 competing for it next year. Agreed that the graduation of Perry and Navarre hurts U of M. That, plus they have this nasty habit of losing to teams they should beat. Their record against the top 10 and top 5 is great, but if you can't beat EVERY pansy in your path, you won't win it all. Texas is talented sure, but they fold in big games so there's no chance they beat both KSU and OU, then win a Big-12 championship. I just don't see that happening, like ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 theeohiostate: Any writer that includes Texas on a list of possible National Champions that is not at least 35 teams long has credibility issues. :P Geez, one since '68 and you're God's Gift? At least we won in '71, which gives us 2 more years to match your record for futility. Sig line bet? - Not on your life! brow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sacosud Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Good god man... one night removed from losing The National Championship and you are already starting on the BIG TEN gets no respect nationally kick. The Big ten will be just fine. Let's see Kansas State,Texas and Oklahoma. I believe this is the cream of the crop of the big 12 "right" enough said Ohio State beats up on K-State and lets face it if Tressel does not go conservative in 3rd and 4th the game could have really gotten out of hand. Texas I don't need to even comment and The mighty Sooners was handled by LSU Defense.Big ten is what it is and Big 12 is what it is 3 or 4 top teams in both leagues and the rest can beat you if you over look them. Do you really believe Big Ten is that weak? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theeohiostate Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 I put absolutely no stock in pre-season crap, Tampa Bay this year? Auburn, Florida St. picked in the top 5 this year, OSU picked 15th when they won their National Championship? OU and Texas being ranked in the top 7 just about every year? enough said!! Beware of the Bucks, in the top 3 recruiting classes, 2 years now. The only certainty is the Big Ten,Big 12,Pac 10,Big East,ACC or SEC will yield a national champion every year, this year the SEC was unquestionable the best conference in the country. Who's got next? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Ryan Posted January 5, 2004 Author Share Posted January 5, 2004 And where has OU finished the last 4 yrs. In the top F*cking 7. With a undisputed National Championship of their own and a missed opportunity this yr ending the season #3 in both human polls. With the whole offense returning and 8 starters on defense and the #1 recruit in the country coming this way in RB Adrian Peterson, this team will be right back in the Orange Bowl where it last one its Championship just 3 short yrs ago. wink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickspicks Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 Comment on the above thumbs_u by Ryan...OU finished to high in beauty pagent poles. Over-rated...Over-rated! The whole conference is over-rated. There will come a time (soon too) when the BIG 10 will get ALL the accolades and the Midget 12 will be looking up. :P I love it when you open your mouth only to insert your foot or to eat some crow. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pope Flick Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 RB Adrian Peterson, this team will be right back in the Orange Bowl where it last one its Championship just 3 short yrs ago. wink [/QB] Sorry, Adrian Peterson won't play for OU, he's gone pro! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xlence Posted January 5, 2004 Share Posted January 5, 2004 As a Sooner fan, I cringe at the thought of Jason White returning next year. He's not the answer. No mobility. Can't help but think if things might have been different last night if we had a mobile quarterback against LSU's fast defense. OU will be one of top teams next year but I don't see a NC with the current offensive scheme Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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