Athlon's Preseason Top 25

[socaljim242]

you have doubts a team that held 8 teams under 20 can hold teams under 20?
you think a team that only managed 24 is gonna put up 36 and you dont think a team that put up 56 can out score them?

Oh are you gonna use the way back machine and have last years teams play? How cool.

 

[socaljim242]

perhaps but Oregon TOP last season ranked 103 out of 130
Run offense was 51 suggesting neither going too fast or too slow

You had a Heisman contenting QB and in your bowl game he had to run for your scores. And you wont even have him back. Your offense will have a huge drop off which will keep your defense on the field longer.

 

[Olyduck]

You had a Heisman contenting QB and in your bowl game he had to run for your scores. And you wont even have him back. Your offense will have a huge drop off which will keep your defense on the field longer.

Doubt

 

[Gatorchip]

I'm thinking

• Beat you 6 of the last 9
• 3 straight SECE titles
• 1 SEC title
• 1 CFP semi-final Rose Bowl win
• 1 OT NCG loss
• 3 straight wins - 42-7, 36-17, 24-17

You can live in the 90s. I'm living today where we are relevant, and Gators have nothing to talk about. You can sit at the "we used to be a Big Boy" table.

Congratulations on your NCG loss. You must feel quite proud.

 

[Olyduck]

Oh are you gonna use the way back machine and have last years teams play? How cool.

Usc fan talking about a wayback machine.
Id rather use last years stats and facts rather than some imo posts from a fan

 

[socaljim242]

Usc fan talking about a wayback machine.
Id rather use last years stats and facts rather than some imo posts from a fan

You dont have last years team or QB. lol. But hey maybe he can help from his couch at home.

 

[kburjr]

ND-Wisc game is yuge

 

[Thiefery]

Cristobal is definitely telling/selling OL recruits on having a power run heavy offense. Bryce Foster did an interview a few months ago (pre pandemic) about Oregon being a real possibility. After he finished talking about it's shot-put team, he said that Cristobal and whoever the OC is told him they were going to change into a power run team... something that is his strength.

 

[Deep Creek]

Cristobal is definitely telling/selling OL recruits on having a power run heavy offense. Bryce Foster did an interview a few months ago (pre pandemic) about Oregon being a real possibility. After he finished talking about it's shot-put team, he said that Cristobal and whoever the OC is told him they were going to change into a power run team... something that is his strength.

So, basically the Anti-Leach.

 

[Thiefery]

So, basically the Anti-Leach.

I mean look where he came from? Saban has adapted because he was forced into it. Right now out west, Chip isn't the Chip of old at UCLA. And I bet he thinks if he can own the OL and DL, he can wear teams out in the second half of the game. And you know what? He may be correct. Who typically has a stout DL? Utah? SC? UW?
Kirby probably would had killed it with Fromm and his RBs out west. Sure there would be some nail biters but he probably goes undefeated.. think that's what Cristobol wants to do at Oregon..IMO of course

 

[Across The Field]

Florida finished about that rank the past two season, and are expected to be better this year (and have an easier schedule).

Holy shit, you're right. That schedule is pathetic. They probably are going 11-2 again.

 

[Gatorchip]

Holy shit, you're right. That schedule is pathetic. They probably are going 11-2 again.

I'm thinking 1 or 0 losses before the SECCG. The scheduling gods have blessed the Gators in 2020.

 

[trojanfan12]

Can't decide if USC is ranked too high or too low. I can see anywhere from 7-5 to 11-1.

They have a lot coming back, so you can make a case that they're ranked too low.

But what's coming back was .500 over the past 2 seasons.

Helton is back. Overall record, he's done pretty well considering the adversity that the program has had and he's never lost the kids.

But, not only has USC not won the marquee games that they used to win, they've been embarrassed in a few of them.

The rest of the coaching staff has been upgraded at every spot and there's a ton of optimism re: the future. I'm just not sure what it all means for this upcoming season.

The schedule looks like it has about 7-8 games that they should win. So it'll be about what happens in those other 4-5.

TL/DR...they're probably ranked about right. lol

 

[Across The Field]

I'm thinking 1 or 0 losses before the SECCG. The scheduling gods have blessed the Gators in 2020.

Got real fortunate with those crossover games. Still not sure FSU is going to be worth a damn next year either. Not a tough true road game all season other than maybe Tennessee. Sheesh.

 

[Gatorchip]

Got real fortunate with those crossover games. Still not sure FSU is going to be worth a damn next year either. Not a tough true road game all season other than maybe Tennessee. Sheesh.

Yup. and LSU is at home too. Georgia also has Alabama this season, which could also help the Gators.

The stars have aligned, and the Gators better not blow this chance. COVID-19 is trying to screw it all up.

 

[Across The Field]

Yup. and LSU is at home too. Georgia also has Alabama this season, which could also help the Gators.

The stars have aligned, and the Gators better not blow this chance. COVID-19 is trying to screw it all up.

It would certainly seem that way. Any thoughts that Tennessee is going to be any sort of legit contender?

 

[Gatorchip]

It would certainly seem that way. Any thoughts that Tennessee is going to be any sort of legit contender?

I expect them to challenge the Gators, then fall apart again.

 

[Across The Field]

I expect them to challenge the Gators, then fall apart again.

Hey man, they're riding a 6-game winning streak ya know.

 

[Deep Creek]

I mean look where he came from? Saban has adapted because he was forced into it. Right now out west, Chip isn't the Chip of old at UCLA. And I bet he thinks if he can own the OL and DL, he can wear teams out in the second half of the game. And you know what? He may be correct. Who typically has a stout DL? Utah? SC? UW?
Kirby probably would had killed it with Fromm and his RBs out west. Sure there would be some nail biters but he probably goes undefeated.. think that's what Cristobol wants to do at Oregon..IMO of course

If you have the talent and ability to outman/outslug people, why not do it. And it absolutely works well if you have the lead and keep wearing a defense out.

And if the team goal is to win the conference, then it could play out just as you describe. But, to win it all, I'm not sure that'll work. If you are shooting for the CFP wins, a team needs to be to play mutlitple ways IMO. At some point you are going to run into a team that will outman/outslug you. If not, go ahead and put all the eggs in one basket. You are going to win it anyway.

In the CFP history, the winning team has scored 35+ points in 5 of the six games. (42, 45, 35, 44 and 42) Guess which one wasn't? Bama vs Georgia when neither made the other score much.

And only 3 of the 12 semifinal games has the winner scored less than 30.

With the exception of Oregon and Oklahoma, most of the 35+ scoring has been against pretty good defenses.

 

[Rolltide94]

Yup. and LSU is at home too. Georgia also has Alabama this season, which could also help the Gators.

The stars have aligned, and the Gators better not blow this chance. COVID-19 is trying to screw it all up.

Even if we beat Georgia, you still have to win the head to head. Not seeing it, they have way more overall talent.