Five Predictions for 2009

Below are five of my 2009 season predictions. Yea...maybe a bit out there but we've seen stranger things. It could happen...

1. Florida does not finish #1. Most polls have them listed #1 based on their number of returning starters and their favorable schedule. But it's dang difficult to repeat...even for Florida. And though they have plenty of defensive depth (returning all starters AND back-ups) they are really just one solid sack away from losing Tebow.

2. Colt McCoy takes the Heisman. Sure...most are already leaning towards Tebow and Bradford but I think McCoy has quietly been putting together the right mix of dramatic play and off-field commentary to swing just enough voters his way.

3. Surprise Teams 2009: BYU finally goes to a BCS bowl. I've seen it before...teams think they are in a re-building year and lo and behold they start winning and can't stop. Wins over OU and FSU would provide confidence and momentum for the rest of their season, sealing a place in the ever-growing list of BCS Busters.

4. The PAC-10 Gap Widens. In 2008 five P10 teams went to bowls...and won. The other five didn't even qualify for a bowl. The Pac-10 is NCAA's third world economy (rich and poor - no middle incomes). I think in 2009 that gap will simply widen with even fewer bowl eligible teams and continued dominance by the select few.

5. The Big-10 Exposed. In 2009 more NCAA fans will recognize the patsiness of the Big-10 and realize that power college football has moved from the north-east and mid-west to the south and west.

Gator Nation Encore?

NCAA 2009...welcome to the Tim Tebow Show, Part III. Will this season be TT's swansong? Another Heisman? Another Title? Can Florida and Urban "Whiner" Meyer actually pull it off again? It has been an amazing feature to watch but it will come to an end in January 2010 when TT plays his last college game, the final installment of the Tim Tebow Show series.

The Gators are talented and deep and hand it to Tim Tebow for setting a new standard for leaders and sports heroes...one I hope will be around a long time. Being the UGA fan I am I am not pulling for another Gator title but I do respect TT and all he has done for the sport.

The Gator nation is alive and well. As I drive around in my truck with a UGA front tag, UGA sticker on back window and UGA antenna ball I often hear "Go Gators!" These are stickers I've had for ~8 years and only in last 2-3 years do I hear such yelling.

And why not? The planets are aligning for a heck of a Florida season...a slow start playing Charleston Southern (?), Troy and Tennessee at home before heading to Kentucky, then their toughest away game - at LSU but it's after a bye week (during which LSU will be getting pounded at UGA).

Hand it to Meyer and staff...they have put together an amazing run. But it's tough to repeat. And one bad slip by Tebow or one hard sack and the wind will be sucked right out of their sails. Sure, they probably have an amazing back-up QB...but I can guarantee you it is not one with the leadership, the grit, the shear toughness and talent and commitment of Tim.

Lets Get Started 2009

Finally...we can start talking college football again. The off-season seems soooooo long (unless you are a basketball and baseball fan...which I'm not).

I sometimes ask myself why it is that college football is the one and only sport I follow. Why is it we anticipate this time of year so, so much? Why is it that college football seems to have something other sports just don't? Why do other sports seem to not even compare?

I found the answers in a Rivals February 2009 article. I don't necessarily agree with the order but I challenge any other sport to come up with a better list.

I would add that NCAAF has pre-season and post-season controversy like no other sport, and the hysteria and passion associated with the sport (whether you are at the game or watching it on a 9" B&W) is second to none.

Rivals.com Top 10 Reasons College Football Rules:
#10. Overtime
#9. Fight Songs
#8. Creative Offenses
#7. College Towns on Gameday
#6. Live Mascots
#5. Rivalries
#4. The Regular Season
#3. Marching Bands
#2. Tradition
#1. Passion

Read the full article here.