Swartz On Sports 2009 College Football Preview

For everyone out there who wanted it, you got it ! Back by popular demand, here is my first installment of "The Ultimate College Football Report" for 2009 ! This is what I will be sticking to....nothing but NCAA College football, sorry I like the college game better than the pro's ! To start things off, I'm going to list my Top 10 and then discuss in brief detail my views for that team and the upcoming season...here we go:
1. Texas
-I like the Longhorns to win it all in 2009. I know, the defending National Champ Florida Gators have their entire defense back not to mention the "Ultimate Warrior" in quarterback Tim Tebow, but I believe Texas quarterback Colt McCoy will have a monster year. He could even improve on his eye popping 76.7 pass percentage from last year. Besides picking defenses apart, McCoy showed his mobility by leading the Longhors in rushing last year. The remainder of the offense looks strong with McCoy's favorite target Jordan Shipley back to haul in TD catches. Massive offensive tackle Adam Ulastoski will lead an above average offensive line and pave holes for backs Vondrell McGee and Fuzzy Whitaker. The only question marks will come on defense where Texas loses first round draft pick Brian Orakpo. Look for Sergio Kindle to pick up the slack and attack Big 12 quarterbacks all season long. Kindle should get some help in the form of incoming freshman Alex Okafor. The Horns' might stumble once, but I like them to play in the National Championship game.

2. Florida
-What can I say, read the above Gator description. Entire "D" back, nation leading 26 INT's last year, Plus 22 in turnover margin, menacing LB Brandon Spikes (need I say more). Heck, I haven't even talked about Tim Tebow yet ! The 6'-3" 245 option bulldozer can beat defenses with his arm, legs and heart. He is a pure "winner". Although some question his throwing mechanics (quirky semi sidearm delivery) the guy is a winner and can "WILL" his team to the National Championship game. Losing explosive speed like Percy Harvin will hurt a little bit but burners like Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey will more than make up for Harvin's loss. Starting tight end, Aaron Hernandez has the potential to be the best at his position in all of college football. Incoming freshman receiverAndre DuBose (who's father starred at Florida in the 1970's) is a potential star in the making and could push for significant playing time. The Pouncey twin will anchor a verteran offensive line. Besides the above mentioned Brandon Spikes, the Gators have arguebly the finist defensive backfield in the nation. A pre-season injury to strong safety Ahmad Black (7 INT's) will hurt, but Garden State safety Will Hill should pick up the slack. Like Texas, I think the Gators will stumble once in a very tough SEC, but one loss in perhaps the nations premier conference will not derail the Gators chance at defending their title.

3. Oregon
-No, I'm NOT insane....yes...Oregon, NOT Southern Cal. Longtime head coach Mike Bellotti has moved up to the Athletic Directors post and offensive guru Chip Kelly finally takes over the "Quack Attack". His first mission is to find every way possible for starting quarterback Jeremiah Massoli to handle the ball. Massoli is my Heisman darkhorse and reminds me a little of Tebow. His best move is to hand off to mountain sized RB LeGarrette Blount (1,002 yards). The only downside to the Duck offensive is the loss of 4 starters along the offensive line. If Oregon can find adequate replacements, they should rack up points. Although Oregon loses some defensive leadership, namely safetly Patrick Chung, I believe the Ducks have enough play makers to break the Trojans hold over the PAC 10 and win a place in the BCS. Look for safety Kenny Rowe and Chad Peppars to contribute as well as returning linebacker Bryson Littlejohn and Josh Kaddu. Besides a tough PAC 10 schedule (they do get Southern Cal. at home) they will be tested on September 4th at Boise State and at home to Sugar Bowl champ Utah.

4. Alabama
-Who am I to ever bet against a Nick Saban coached team. In two short seasons, he has turned the Tide around from a middle of the pack SEC team to a perennial BCS contender. This years Crimson Tide will be led by their defense. Defensive Tackle Terrence Cody (who plays like a HUGE tide rolling in from an ocean storm) will bottle up opposing running games while ALL-SEC linebacker Rolando McClain cleans em' up. On offense sophomore sensation Julio Jones could be a terror to defensive backs "IF" projected starting quarterback Greg McElroy can deliver the ball and not force his throws. Bama' fans better enjoy Mr. Jones because he'll be playing on Sundays next year. Look for running back Mark Ingram to continue to improve and become one of the better backs in the SEC. An early trip to Blacksburg, VA and a battle with the Hokies should prove a stern test, one in which the Tide will pass with flying colors.

5. Notre Dame
-Okay, now you're all saying "The guy has lost it". This is the last chance for Charlie Weis to prove he can be a successful head coach. Listen, he has some talent to work with, a third year returning starter in quarterback Jimmy Clausen, two of the best wide receivers in the nation, new defensive mastermind Jon Tenuta and a "cake" schedule. The Irish play their toughest game at home against Southern Cal. and while traditional foe Michigan will be improved, the Woverines are not yet ready to challenge the Irish. It all starts with Clausen who will finally live up to his much Parade All American status. He has a pair of stud wideouts in Golden Tate and Michael Floyd (and Duval Kamara ain't that bad either). Tackle Sam Young leads the offensive line and MUST protect Clausen better. The Irish have a host of capable backs but someone will have to step up and be the homerun threat (are you listening Armando Allen ?). On defense, the return of top cornerback Darrin Walls will make it more difficult to throw against the golden domers and linebacker Brian Smith should benefit from D-Coordinator Tenuta's agressive schemes. It so pains me to even put the Fighting Irish up this high, but honestly, with above average talent and a joke of a schedule, if Charlie Weis does not win at least 9 games, he should be shipped out of South Bend and back to the New Jersey high school gridiron where he started !

6. Oklahoma
-Yes Sam Bradford will put up huge numbers (but not as gaudy as last years). He has two talented running backs in Chris Brown (not to be confused with the singer/girlfriend beater) and DeMarco Murray who both went for 1,000 yards last year, tight end in Jermaine Gresham who would have been a first round pick had he come out his junior year and a potential star wideout in Ryan Broyles. The Sooners do take a hit on the offensive line as they have to replace 4 starters. Luckily that one starter is All-American tackle Trent Williams who will move from right tackle to Bradford's blind side replacing Phil Loadholt. Boomer Sooner will again be stout on the defensive side of the ball with linebacker Ryan Reynolds coming back off of injury, fellow linebacker Austin Box and All-American defensive tackle Gerald McCoy causing havoc in the middle of the Sooner D-Line. Bradford will have an All-American type year but may wish he came out last year where he would have been the top pick in the draft. Then again, he would have been drafted by the Lions, better to stay at Oklahoma, even with a rebuilt offensive line !

7. Southern California (U.S.C.)
-I just don't want to confuse people, they might think U.S.C stands for University of South Carolina (now would I have a team nicknamed "Gamecocks" in my top 25 ???). Yes, from top to bottom and depth wise the Men of Troy have the most talent in college football (due to Pete Carroll's first rate recruiting) maybe even better than a few N.F. L. teams ! Losing so much first rate talent on the defensive side of the ball (entire linebacker corps) including first round picks Brian Cushing and Clay Matthews Jr. will not be easy to replace but believe it or not, projected starters Michael Morgan (6'-4" 220, 4.35 speed) Malcolm Smith (6'-2" 230 4.4 speed) and Chris Glippo (6'-4" 250, 4.6 speed) are faster and more athletic than last years starters ! I know we're forgetting someone, a 6'-4" 230 All-American version of former Trojan Ronnie Lott...that would be Taylor Mays who spurned the big dollars of the N.F.L. for a chance to win a BCS championship with the Trojans. At his size and 4.2 speed, Mays projects as a top 5 pick in the 2010 draft. On the offensive side of the ball, Southern Cal will insert true freshman Matt Barkley at quarterback and although he should excel in his first varsity action against San Jose St. will be thrown into the deep end for the Trojans visit to Columbus, OH and the Buckeyes. The upside is, Barkley has been enrolled at Southern Cal. since January so has participated in spring practice and has gotten a chance to aclimate himself to the environment of college life. The downside is you can't speed up experience. If Mark Sanchez had come back, the Trojans would have been my number 2 team. If Barkely falters early, look for Aaron Corp to slide into the starting role. Although he doesn't possess the arm strength of the freshman, he is more mobile and does have varsity experience. A finally healthy Joe McKnight will help as will Stefon Johnson, C.J. Gable and Marc (son of Wendell) Tyler. The Trojans posess the best pass receiving fullback in college football, Stanley Havili and their entire offensive line (a team strength) return. A pre season injuiry to All-American center Kristopher O'Dowd could prove costly but the Trojans are so deep, I do not expect Carroll to rush him back until fully healthy. The downside, the schedule..did I mention trips to Eugene, Berkley, Columbus and South Bend...killer schedule.

8. California
-The PAC 10 with three teams in my Top 10 ? Yup....Hey I love Jeff Tedford as an offensive coach, he is pure genius. Bears running back Jahvid Best might be the "best" back in the nation. All he did last year was average a PAC 10 best 8.1 yards per carry good for 1,580 yards and 15 TD's. But as gifted as Best is, how far the Golden Bears will go will be up to quarterback Kevin Riley. At times last year Riley looked like an all league quarterback, other times he played like a scared inexperienced third stringer. Tedford named Riley the starter over Brock Mansion so it's sink or swim for Riley. Losing All-American center Alex Mack will hurt the Bears line so Cal will need to find a grade A replacement for him. The defensive is led by All-PAC 10 cornerback Syd'Quan Thompson who led the team with 4 interceptions last year. The bad news for PAC 10 quarterbacks is that Cal's entire defensive backfield returns. Replacing leading tackler Anthony Felder will not be easy, so it will be up to holdovers D.J. Holt and Mychal Kendicks to improve and become playmakers for the Bears to challenge Oregon and Southern California. Oh yes, the Bears get the Trojans in Berkley !

9. Ohio State
-Terrelle Pryor, Terrelle Pryor, Terrell Pryor. Fans in Columbus are wondering if it's time to take the reigns off the super sophomore quarterback. Can you believe in spring practice the 6'-6", 245 lb. QB ran a reported 4.35 forty ? Now that's scary (almost as scary as that weak throwing motion). If the Buckeye coaches can correct that a bit, Pryor will be downright scary for Big 10 defenses. Another "scary" fact, despite looking just average in some games last year, Pryor still led the BIG 10 in passing efficiency....watch out opponents ! Watch for the game with the Trojans, Pryor could hurt the visitors from Los Angeles with his feet and pocket mobility. The Buckeyes do lose all world back Chris Wells, but do return "Boom" Herron and Brandon Saine. Look for true freshman Jamal Berry to make a push for playing time. Cameron Heyward, Thaddeus Gibson and Doug Worthington lead an agressive defense front but will miss linebackers James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman. Lets just hope that for television ratings sake, Ohio St. does NOT make another BCS championship game, especially against an SEC team !

10. Oklahoma St.
-This BIG 12 team is loaded with offensive talent. The only problem is that beyond the starters, their is no depth to challenge for an outright BIG 12 title. Check out this offensive firepower, QB Zac Robinson (3,149 passing yards) 26 TD's. RB Kendall Hunter (1,555 yards) 16 TD's. WR Dez Bryant (87 catches) 19 TD's. Amazing trio of offensive fireworks but an injury to any of the above will seriously hamper the Cowboys in those showdown games (Sooners, Longhors, Red Raiders). Now with all those offensive numbers, lets look at the defenseless side of the ball. As quickly as the Pokes put up points on the scoreboard, the defense allowed almost as much right back ! Oklahoma St. does return 10 of last years top 12 tacklers. New Defensive Coordinator Bill Young will help in this regard but will have his hands full in trying to slow down the high octane offenses of the BIG 12. Defensive End Richetti Jones will have to step it up to compensate for a lackluster pass rush. My prediction is the Cowboys are going to have to outscore their opponents to reach 9 or 10 wins.