Who are your Sleeper Teams for 2009

[egghead]

So much has already has been written about the preseason favorites thought it would be fun to see your 2009 sleepers (these are teams that should be better than the preseason rank and potential top 10 or better)

My top 5 sleepers for 2009

California Bears-
Returning 17 starters including 9 from a top 25 defense in 2008 would be reason enough to think the Cal Bears can get back to a 10 win regular season--but having one of the best running backs in the nation in Jahvid Bestand a very good backup in Shane Vereen should help QB Kevin Riley in dramatically improving the CAL passing game (new coach Ludwig will also help Riley tremendously) -The questions for Cal are at linebacker where a trio of folks are fighting for two positions-Kendricks played in all 13 games last season while Bishop and Holt played in 12-All will be revelaed in late Sept and early Oct when the Bears go to Oregon and then host USC

Pittsburgh Panthers-
Pitt should be one of the favorites for the Big East this year with 7 returners on defense returning--In fact the Pitt defensive front is the deepest in the Big East and also one of the best in the country. Most experts argue that losing Lesean McCoy will make an already anemic offensive team worse but Pitt will return a better offensive line and still have some pretty good receivers--The key will be at QB -but only three teams in the Big East return starting QB's- Pittsburgh, South Florida and Cincinnati-Pitt only has 5 road games this year and they all look winnable—Pitt finishes the year at WVU but has USF and Notre Dame at home

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Returning ACC player of the year Jonathan Dwyer plus QB Josh Nesbitt off the 4th best running game in the country last year would make any team a favorite in the ACC--but with Roddy Jones and Lucas Cox also returning the Jackets have a slew of offensive weapons. and the scary thing for the ACC is Paul Johnson’s option attack will be even better in Year 2. The Yellow Jackets return eight players to their defense but the losses are huge--all in the front with Michael Johnson and defensive tackles Darryl Richard and Vance Walker . But Tech should improve on the turnover ratio from last year which will reduce the pressure on the defense--and with the offense able to score at will--watch out-Tech is at FSU but has Virginia Tech and Georgia at home

Oklahoma State Cowboys
quarterback Zac Robinson, running back Kendall Hunter and wide receiver Dez Bryant all return along with another 5 offensive starters which will make the Cowboys one of the most dynamic offenses in the country and a different animal in the pass happy Big 12--because they can both pass and run--and no one thinks the 40.8 points/game last season will be reduced--The issue for Oklahoma State is on defense where only one starter returns in the secondary--But the good news is new defensive coordinator Bill Young has brought a much simpler approach to the defense and his players have really bought into the philosophy-The Cowboys have Texas at home and finish the year at Oklahoma

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
God I know this hurts--but the fact is if the Irish can't win 9 games with their schedule--- Weis is gone
But this is the best Irish team in the past 5 years—with a lot more speed on defense and enough offensive talent to keep the defense off the field—But there is no doubt Weiss will live or die based on the progress of Jimmy Clausen—and Clausen will get help from a more experienced offensive line and 4 decent running backs along with a pretty good group of receivers to throw to—The defense goes back to the 4-3 and Tenuta will finally have some weapons to blitz from all over the field—The Irish toughest game early will be the home opener with Nevada and should be 5-0 before facing USC at home-The back half of the schedule has only one real opponent at Pitt—So there is a real chance the Irish can be at 11-1 and playing for a top BCS bowl game

Longshot but could be really good

Iowa Hawkeyes
The defense returns three of four of its excellent secondary in Tyler Sash, Brett Greenwood and Amari Spievey which should enable Iowa to at least match last years 12th ranked defense--especially since the Big Ten is not blessed with exceptional receivers in 09--but the Hawkeyes will be more susceptible to the run where graduates Mitch King and Matt Kroul held rushers to less than 100 yards per game. But Iowa does return all the linebackers- On offense QB Ricky Stanzi still has Derrell Johnson-Koulianos to throw to but Stanzi is going to have to improve his passing game to replace the loss of Shonn Greene. Tackles Bryan Bulaga and Kyle Calloway, along with guard Julian Vandervelde return on the line to help backup running back Jewel Hampton get back at least some of the 1800 yards Greene produced last year-The issue for the Hawkeys is they have both Penn State and Ohio State on the road

[The Rattler]

Notre Dame better win 10 games with our schedule...

What do you think about ASU?

Good read as always Egghead...

[Welcometonowhere]

Wish it was the 'Canes... (sigh)...

Florida State will be better - I wish that wasn't true. Been hearing alot about California.

I welcome anyone as long as it's not FSU, Notre Dame, or Ohio State. Can't stand any of them - especially the SEMENoles.



These Seminoles suck too, but that could be a good thing:

[egghead]

Originally Posted by The Rattler

Notre Dame better win 10 games with our schedule...

What do you think about ASU?

Good read as always Egghead...

Thanks-

ASU-

Preseason is making no ones top 40 list--which is probably right after 2008- Which was probably the most disappointing season of any college football team last year

But this year the Sun Devils should have a very good defense--With Dexter Davis at defensive end and Lawrence Guy at defensive tackle coming back- ASU has a one of the better front 4 in the Pac 10--add Linebackers Mike Nixon and Travis Goethel who led the teams in tackles and corners Omar Bolden and Terrell Carr this team will have a top 20 defense--The only player they will really miss is Safety Troy Nolan

Offense is a whole different ballgame--How last years team ranked 100th in the nation in Total offense with the players they had was a crime--but on paper this years offense could be worse-Dimitri Nance replaces rb Keegan Herring and Danny Sullivan replaces Rudy Carpenter at QB. The good news is Chris McGaha is as talented as Jones at receiver and the Sun Devils should be improved on the offensive line where they were just horrible last year--If the line can give Sullivan some time to throw ASU should improve on the offense from last year--

ASU's defense has to play lights out as the offense works out the kinks--And the league schedule is favorable for ASU this season--But they will have to improve a ton to finish ahead Oregon State Arizona and UCLA (and maybe even Stanford)--

[egghead]

Originally Posted by Welcometonowhere

Wish it was the 'Canes... (sigh)...

Florida State will be better - I wish that wasn't true. Been hearing alot about California.

I welcome anyone as long as it's not FSU, Notre Dame, or Ohio State. Can't stand any of them - especially the SEMENoles.



These Seminoles suck too, but that could be a good thing:

How could anybody be hating FSU with those pictures

But Miami should have a much better team this year--unfortunately they could also start the year 0-4 with FSU Oklahoma Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech--and it wont help they have two new coordinators

But at least they wont be playing that god awful two QB system--which made the offense look worse than it was-the key question for Miami on offense will continue to be the offensive line--They have a ton of talent at the skill positions and Mark Whipple’s prostyle offense fits with the talent

The defense returns eight starters and should be much improved--but it will still not be a Miami defense of old cause the secondary is still just average--linebacker Sean Spence could be one of the best linebackers in the country and Darryl Sharpton is no slouch

I think Miami will win some games they shouldn't--but they will also give away some they should win--they are a couple years away from being back to the Canes of old

[Welcometonowhere]

Good grief - what was Miami thinking with a schedule like that? FSU and Sooners so early in the season? I'll just start watching in October and pretend the season starts then (LOL).

I can't wait the 'Canes to return to the glory days - I miss Butch Davis and his monster recruiting days. I'm hoping Whipple can bring some confidence to the offense. I know there's talent there and we have the ability to run, but we need to hold the pass rush for more than 2 seconds to stretch the field and make some plays. I felt too often we couldn't handle a strong pass rush long enough to make a simple quick-out. I'm not worried about the defense - Shannon will make that unit strong, but if we can't control the clock and give them breathers, we'll be in for a long season. I want to see Shannon succeed, but if the 'Canes struggle too much, he's gone.

[m2k989]

Interesting list Egg, but I have one issue. I don't think most of these teams are being slept on. I took a look at two preseason top-25s, one from Mark Schlabach and the other from Dennis Dodd. Below I've listed your teams and their respective rankings by each pundit:

Cal: 13; 15
Pitt: NR, NR
Georgia Tech: 15, 13
Oklahoma State: 10, 10
Notre Dame: 17, NR
Iowa: 19, 24

Obviously the real preseason Top-25 will be more telling, but it looks to me like most of the teams you listed are generally expected to do pretty well.

[egghead]

Originally Posted by m2k989

Interesting list Egg, but I have one issue. I don't think most of these teams are being slept on. I took a look at two preseason top-25s, one from Mark Schlabach and the other from Dennis Dodd. Below I've listed your teams and their respective rankings by each pundit:

Cal: 13; 15
Pitt: NR, NR
Georgia Tech: 15, 13
Oklahoma State: 10, 10
Notre Dame: 17, NR
Iowa: 19, 24

Obviously the real preseason Top-25 will be more telling, but it looks to me like most of the teams you listed are generally expected to do pretty well.

You are right--but I did qualify my sleepers

(these are teams that should be better than their preseason rank and potential top 10 or better)

and this is the preseason poll list I use

2009 Preseason College Football Polls

and with the exception of Oklahoma State--the teams listed I expect to be significantly better than there preseason rank--and have a shot at a BCS bowl

Oklahoma State--at # 7 I think has an opportunity to be in the top 3 and the national title game

[robdog]

I am definitely going with ND as the sleeper. They will be underrated and overlooked by a lot of teams. Should be a good couple of years for them.

[The Rattler]

Originally Posted by robdog

I am definitely going with ND as the sleeper. They will be underrated and overlooked by a lot of teams. Should be a good couple of years for them.

A sleeper? You do realize were playing Washington and Washington St....

Right?

[Deftoner]

Seems like every year, I'm rooting for Okie State to beat Texas or Oklahomo, and it seems like every year they let me down.

[robdog]

Originally Posted by The Rattler

A sleeper? You do realize were playing Washington and Washington St....

Right?

So does every other team in the Pac-10. ND will get into a good instead of the Aloha/Hawaii Bowl they were in last year.

[baller263]

My sleeper pick to finish better than their preseason rank: Oregon State.

Call me a homer, but every year we sit outside the top 25 until the final 4 weeks. Then finish the season around 20.

But this year, keep your eyes open, again, for both of the Rodgers brothers and QB Sean Canfield finally finding his promising talents.

What do you think egghead?

[S2000ManiaC]

How about the illinois fighting illini

[egghead]

Originally Posted by baller263

My sleeper pick to finish better than their preseason rank: Oregon State.

Call me a homer, but every year we sit outside the top 25 until the final 4 weeks. Then finish the season around 20.

But this year, keep your eyes open, again, for both of the Rodgers brothers and QB Sean Canfield finally finding his promising talents.

What do you think egghead?

Oregon State certainly surprised some folks last year--(after that embarrassment to Penn State)

I like Lyle Moevao --he just makes plays--and with the Rogers brothers they will be fun to watch on offense--They have to fill some holes on the offensive line but they never have monsters up front anyway--

The only thing that concerns me this year about Oregon State is their defense--They were pretty good last year (top 25)--and only return tackle Stephen Paea from a front four that led the Pac 10 in sacks and tackles for loss--and they lose their entire secondary
--Thats a lot of holes to fill

So they are really going to have to watch the turnover ratio--while Lyle improves his passing percentage and keep the Rogers healthy to have the same kind of year on 09--but I would pick them 4th in the Pac 10 for now

[MFootball]

I have been running all over hell all day, so I'm too tired to type up an analysis. But I agree on the Notre Dame and Cal picks. I have Cal winning the Pac 10 and I think Notre Dame is a top 10 football team this year. Their roster is stacked with un-tapped talent and I think Clausen is poised to break out after that big bowl. Granted, it was only Hawaii, but time and time again we see these kids explode onto the scene a year after a bigtime bowl performance.

[m2k989]

Originally Posted by MFootball

I have been running all over hell all day, so I'm too tired to type up an analysis. But I agree on the Notre Dame and Cal picks. I have Cal winning the Pac 10 and I think Notre Dame is a top 10 football team this year. Their roster is stacked with un-tapped talent and I think Clausen is poised to break out after that big bowl. Granted, it was only Hawaii, but time and time again we see these kids explode onto the scene a year after a bigtime bowl performance.

You think Cal can take down SC? I think they've got some very good players and Best is among the top RBs in the nation, but don't expect USC to be slipping this year, and I don't think Cal will be the biggest threat. The only position where there's likely to be a drop-off from last year is linebacker (and I think most coaches would kill to have Michael Morgan, Chris Galippo and Malcolm Smith), and the offensive line is routinely being projected as the nation's best, whereas last year it was something of a liability.

[trainwreck]

Originally Posted by m2k989

You think Cal can take down SC? I think they've got some very good players and Best is among the top RBs in the nation, but don't expect USC to be slipping this year, and I don't think Cal will be the biggest threat. The only position where there's likely to be a drop-off from last year is linebacker (and I think most coaches would kill to have Michael Morgan, Chris Galippo and Malcolm Smith), and the offensive line is routinely being projected as the nation's best, whereas last year it was something of a liability.

And QB.

[egghead]

Originally Posted by S2000ManiaC

How about the illinois fighting illini

Ron Zook my favorite recruiter--

but can he take that potential in star ratings and get the results on the field

With the talent Illinois had last year--and not to make a Bowl--Ron is in trouble if it happens again

Illinois should have the best offense in the Big 10--Juice Williams will have over 4,000 yards of total offense and has one of the best receivers in the nation in Arrelious Benn --The best three lineman return and if Illinois can get consistency at running back (Daniel Dufrene can be better than Williams) Illinois will be in the top 10 in total offense

The defense which should have been real good last year collapsed--and the Illini lose the top 4 players off that defense--but they have some talent in Martez Wilson who moves to middle linebacker in 09--

But overall Illinois is going to have to stay healthy--and score a bunch of points until the young defense can solidify


They should finish in the top 6 in the Big Ten and return to a Bowl game

[egghead]

Originally Posted by m2k989

You think Cal can take down SC? I think they've got some very good players and Best is among the top RBs in the nation, but don't expect USC to be slipping this year, and I don't think Cal will be the biggest threat. The only position where there's likely to be a drop-off from last year is linebacker (and I think most coaches would kill to have Michael Morgan, Chris Galippo and Malcolm Smith), and the offensive line is routinely being projected as the nation's best, whereas last year it was something of a liability.

The biggest threat to USC is complacency--

But how do you not have some fall off on defense when you lose LB Brian Cushing, S Kevin Ellison, CB Cary Harris, LB Kaluka Maiava, DE Clay Matthews, LB Rey Maualuga, DT Fili Moala, DE Kyle Moore--In what to me was one of the best defenses I ever saw in college football--and this will be Carrolls least experienced defenses since he's been there--But there is still plenty of talent as you mention and the offense will be better or more consistent

because of those offensive lineman and nine returning starters--including some great skill players like Stafon Johnson, Joe McKnight and C.J. Gable and receivers Damian Williams, Ronald Johnson and Stanley Havili --USC always seem to find a way to plug in a QB--

So if Cal was ever going to be the top dog--this is the year with the inexperience of USC defense