2008 Football Predictions, Part 2

As promised, here are the SEC predictions. I've also included my predictions for the BCS Bowls.

Southeastern Conference

There’s a reason I save this one for last every year. It’s the conference I pay the closest attention to, so I usually have the most to write about it. It’s the best conference in the country – or any other country, for that matter – and so it deserves final billing. Most years, it’s the toughest conference to call, as well, so I save it for last to give me time to figure out who’s going to beat who in an upset, who’s going to have one loss or two losses, and does a three-loss East team beat a one-loss West team in Atlanta? (the answer is, probably yes).

This year, however, I’m saving the SEC for last because I’m also saving the best for last. This year it’s easy to call. This year Georgia will walk away with the SEC title, and that “World’s Toughest Schedule” will prove to not have been as tough as once thought. I’m not saying that the schedule isn’t tough, but after taking a look at it, you’ll realize along with me that Georgia just isn’t going to lose a game this year.

Let’s exclude the cupcakes…wait a second. It looks like Georgia Southern is the only real “cupcake” UGA has this year. Central Michigan is the defending MAC champion, and the rest of the games are against legitimate teams. But excluding the almost-cupcakes – the Eagles, Chippewahs and Yellow Jackets – and focusing on the toughness of the schedule, let’s talk about how Georgia can navigate it flawlessly. To beat South Carolina, the Bulldogs need simply to remember that their lost in 2007 likely cost them the national championship and definitely cost them the SEC East. To beat Tennessee, Georgia needs simply to remember 2006 and 2007. Arizona State and Alabama may well prove to be paper tigers. After a strong start last year, Georgia’s defeat of Alabama in Tuscaloosa essentially ended the Tide’s season (they went on to lose five of their next seven games). Arizona State looked stronger than strong early, but were flat-out pathetic when stacked up against real competition, losing to #5 Oregon, #11 USC and #19 Texas. Going out to Tempe will probably be the most stressful part of that matchup.

On to the second half of the schedule. Vandy and Kentucky should prove no threat; Vandy’s defense crumbled in the second half of last year and Kentucky no longer has Andre’ Woodson at its helm. Going to Baton Rouge on a Saturday night seems daunting until you remember what happened the last time a night game was played at Tiger Stadium. True, it was a Friday night and not a Saturday night, but Arkansas still embarrassed the Tigers in that 50-48 win. What makes it even less daunting is that LSU lost a junkload of talent while Georgia returns nearly all of their playmakers. LSU is helmed by perennial suspension Ryan Perilloux, while UGA junior Matthew Stafford looks ready to lead an army of gladiators against battle-armored tigers with laser beams strapped to their foreheads. Then there’s the Florida game, and I’m not pretending that the Cocktail Party will be a true party this year the way it was last year. Florida gets EVERYBODY back, and their recruiting classes the last two years have been truly frightening. In fact, in my personal preseason poll, I’ve got Florida number one and Georgia number two. Florida is a big nasty bastard of a bear-beast. However, Tim Tebow is their quarterback. And I think that as long as Tim Tebow is Florida’s quarterback, Georgia will be feasting on Tebow pancakes. He’s never done anything against Georgia, who sacked him six times last year, and I don’t think he’ll be able to do anything this year. And oh, by the way: there’s a reason USC let Emmanuel Moody transfer, Coach Meyer. Don’t hang your hat on that idjit just yet. (see my post titled \"Emmanuel Moody\" for further proof that this guy's a doofus) I think Auburn is going to be yet a third straight laugher, since they’re installing a new offense and have a brand-new quarterback under center. And while the law of averages says that Mark Richt will eventually lose to Tech, I don’t think that’s going to happen in 2008. And since UGA plays all of the Western contenders (that’s right, all two of them) during the regular season this year, I’m thinking Georgia has a much easier time in the Georgia Dome than the talking heads would have you believe. Which is fine with me, because it gives the Dawgs an air of invincibility heading into the BCS National Championship Game Bowl, which they deserve, being invincible and all.

Oh, and Nick Saban will get Croomed for a second straight year. Remember when I predicted Alabama would lose to Mississippi State in 2007? Remember how you didn’t believe me?


BSC Bowl Matchups

BSC National Championship Game: Georgia vs. USC
Sugar Bowl: Florida vs. Boise State
Orange Bowl: Louisville vs. Virginia Tech
Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Texas
Fiesta Bowl: Missouri vs. Michigan

As long as we win the SEC Championship I am happy, the crown jewel of college football.

I'm with you. I just worry about everything when it comes to SEC football.

Michigan in the Fiesta? These guys are a couple of years away from winning with the spread offense...they don't have the personel in place yet....too big and slow right now.

i like the way you think. i think the next two years will be great and we will always be a contender after that. i firmly believe the gaytors and lswho will go down bad this year. tebow will cry and les miles will go for it on 5th down!!!!

Believe me, the gators WILL be good this year but doesn't mean we won't beat them.