For the past several years, I have published my very own College Football outlook - I was 100% successful in picking the BCS National Champions - my very own Auburn Tigers! So I have to pick someone else, as Auburn would never, ever dare winning to in a row for me! I'll give the major three in this state a preview, attempt to crown an ACC Champion, preview Auburn, then the BCS National Championship team...
First - East Carolina...Everyone's favorite proverbial little brother has scrapped it's "traditional" offensive attack in favor of a spread attack that is fairly common in high schools and gaining favor in colleges. Dayon Arrington, one of the most underrated receivers in America can change a game at anytime, but is also great as a possession receiver. He runs good routes and has capable hands...and they'll be needed when QB Dominique Davis takes the field. The offense should be able to score with any of it's C-USA opponents, BUT...the defense was putrid last year. Navy could have made it to three digits on the scoreboard last year...the once gritty, physical defense has been replaced by, well I'm not sure. Coach McNeill was the Defensive Coordinator at a school where a good offense was the best defense. The Pirate defense can muster up big plays, but can also give up lots of big plays. For this team to be successful on defense, they'll have to force a lot of turnovers...Still, I imagine that with a good schedule and some lucky breaks, this team could win the East Division of C-USA...a 7-5 record is my prediction, but Game 1 against South Carolina in Charlotte will helped to paint a better picture of what this team is capable and incapable of...
UNC - After firing Butch Davis only weeks ago, the popular opinion is that this season will be in the tank. I tend to agree, but there have been many teams throughout history who were able to capitalize on the "underdog" role...and last year's team did much better than expected after it's tumultuous beginnineg. This year, Bryn Renner steps in to replace the consistent, yet oft-time maligned TJ Yates at quarterback...he could bring two dimensions to the position and lighten the load on the hulking 250 pound running back Ryan Houston. Houston is a marvel in short yardage, but is he durable enough to go the distance. The defense has a lot of speed in the backfield, but the true star might be Quinton Coples at end. There is a lot of speed on this side of the ball, and it's very similar to an SEC style defense...however the offense will have it's growing pains. I look for an 8-4 record...the ACC is just not very strong and home field advantages in most stadiums make road games less-daunting.
Tomorrow, expect t hear about NC State and Auburn!
Enjoy the day...
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