As promised, I will now attempt to offer my prognostications on two of the most enigmatic college football teams in America...also, the Eastern 4-H Center will be closed at noon tomorrow and will remain closed until Monday at the earliest, in lieu of Hurricane Irene.
Last year, Coach Tom seemed to capitalize on a down ACC and pull together a winning season and a bowl win over West Virginia. This year, Former QB Russell Wilson is now playing for the Wisconsin Badgers...so the loss at quarterback is tremendous. The absence of some defensive stars, especially Nate Irving, will be felt early and often, too. However, there is some promise on the offensive side of the football with Mike Glennon, a monster of a man, taking the snaps. He'll be handing the ball off to Mustafa Greene, who was one of the highest rated tailbacks to ever agree to a scholarship at NC State. Also, NFL prospect George Bryan is a phenomenal Tight End that could provide another point of attack for defenses to fret over. Defensively, though, this team has some holes. The defense is built on speed and will require lots of pressure from the linebackers to hurry an opposing team's quarterback into making errors against NC State's very average secondary. JR Sweezy is the defensive line anchor, and he'll help to bulldoze the way for blitzing linebackers. NC State could start of at 6-0, but I expect 5-1 as a loss to Georgia Tech seems predictable. And nope, NC State will not be the Tar Heels. I look for a 7-5 season from the pack.
Auburn, on the other hand is replacing roughly 80% of it's starters, including punters and kickers. The spring and early fall camps focused on naming a starting quarterback to replace Cam Newton, who is now taking his licks in the NFL. Barrett Trotter has been named the starter, but is backed up by a very capable Clint Moseley, and a highly touted freshman named Kiehl Frazier who looks the part of Cam Newton. Auburn also replaces several NFL'ers on the Offensive Line and must replace several great receivers, namely Darvin Adams. Still, the backfield will host Mike Dyer and Onterrio McCalebb as it's tailbacks...a tremendous combination of Thunder and Lightning, respectively. Despite Cam Newton's All-World numbers, Dyer quietly racked up 1000 yards rushing...as a freshman...in the SEC. McCalebb, the speedster also racked up nearly 800 yards while touching the ball as few as 10 times per game. Both can change the score and the game very quickly. Auburn's receiving corp will be led by Phillip Lutzenkirchen at tight end and Emory Blake in the slot. Lutzenkirchen is reported to have the best hands on the team, and approximately 1/3 of his receptions terminate in the end zone. Blake is a possession type receiver, but can stretch the field fast. Quin Carr and Deangelo Benton are upper classmen that need to catch lots of balls this year, too.
Defensively, the Tigers lost lots of leadership after winning the BCS National Championship last year. But there is still a tremendous amount of talent, speed, and size on the defensive side of the football. Nosa Eguae is a star-in-waiting and is considered the leader on defense. The linebacking crew is almost a total over-haul, but the middle 3 will need Eltoro Freeman to be a leader on defense. The Secondary looks to be fast and talented, yet inexperienced. I look for Erique Florence to have a solid freshman campaign in the defensive back 4.
I look for Auburn to go 9-3 with losses to South Carolina, LSU, and Arkansas...they're all road games in tough stadiums. Auburn gets Bama in Jordan-Hare this year, and thus, a second consecutive Iron Bowl championship. Auburn will go to the Cotton Bowl, where they'll most likely beat Nebraska 42-31.
There you have it...an unbiased and very realistic approach to collegiate football predictions...now I go have another glass of Navy and Orange Kool-Aid...
For those living here on the coast...if you can evacuate, do so. Living without power and running water is called "surviving." After three days it gets tougher. If you are a visitor to this area, GET OUT NOW. For those staying, hide good in sturdy rooms. Use ground anchors on boats and cars. Do not use them on children...
Enjoy the day.
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