Disclaimer: It's not comprehensive in the sense that we cover every team, or even every conference. The use of the term 'comprehensive' is more abstract and interpretive. Living in the Northwest, we are able to do that. Also, it should be noted that the series won't actually be much of a preview. If we are being really honest, it's more 'random thoughts we have jotted down over the last month' than a so-called 'preview.'
Joe Berger's Playhouse 2012 College Football Preview, Part I (continued): Things That Were Interesting When We Read Them (in no coherent or logical order):
- Phil Steele has FSU winning the national title, and on paper you can see why, with an elite defense , 17 returning starters and a very manageable schedule. The Playhouse likes Steele, but the Seminoles aren't winning the national title unless they improve their running game dramatically. In five games last season -- and three of the last four -- they averaged less that 2.2 yards/carry.
- Clemson's problems on defense are well documented after losing four of six to finish last season, including surrendering two-under par to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl. But they are also breaking in three new o-lineman and will be without WR Sammy Watkins (getting high) for the first two games of the year. Auburn will beat the Tigers of Sept 1.
- NC State's Mike Glennon is the best QB in the country no one cares about. Glennon threw for over 3,000 and 31 touchdowns last season for a Wolfpack squad that very quietly won eight games.
- Boston College was outgained by over 100 yards/game last season and missed out on a bowl for the first time in 12 years. They'll be back this season, with 17 starters returning, including 10 on offense.
- Randy Edsall of Maryland is a dick. He's also 1-19 vs. the top 25 in his career.
- While Virginia Tech's defense has a chance to be insanely good, the offense, even with QB Logan Thomas, has to replace eight starters, including four on the offensive line.
- Georgia Tech's projected starting wide receivers have zero career receptions
- Three of Miami's first four games are on the road -- BC, K-State, and Ga Tech -- where they will be dogs in each time. With ten returning starters, The U will be lucky to win four games.
- Between 2005-2007 Duke won two games. The Blue Devils have also lost to Richmond twice in three years.
- USC's toughest game before facing Oregon on Nov. 3 will not be at Stanford Sept. 15 or even at Utah Oct 4. It will be the following week in Seattle against Washington. The Huskies are playing their home games at Century Link Field this season while Husky Stadium gets a remodel. That joint tends to get pretty loud and Sarkisian has already beat 'SC twice since he's been at Washington. Also, the weather in Seattle during October has been known to be a tad dreary.
- UCLA played in a bowl game last season despite eight losses and giving up 99 points in their last two games.
- Utah returns 16 starters and avoids Oregon and Stanford on the schedule. Ten wins is not out of the question.
- Over the 2010 and 2011 seasons, Arizona at one point lost ten consecutive games to DI opponents.
- Rich Rodriguez and Mike Leach, despite the hype, will not be successful in the Pac-12. We wrote about it at the end of last season, and we stick by it.
- ASU returns just eight starters from a team that hated each other took advantage of its coach. May not be such a bad thing.
- Colorado vs Colorado St used to be a very underrated opening weekend game. Now, it's worse than elderly porn
- Oregon's non-conference schedule: Arkansas St, Fresno St and Tenn Tech. Good luck beating out a a one-loss SEC team for a spot in the BCS with that crap.
- Bold prediction: Oregon St beats Wisconsin Sept 8 in Corvallis
- Washington plays three top five teams by the middle of October: at LSU, at Oregon and USC.
- It's conceivable Washington State could start out the season 4-0, and lose out.
To be continued tomorrow...
Super Play of the Day
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