General Thoughts For 2009 | THE HONORABLE

The upcoming NCAAF season is so close yet so far.

That being said, here's back to doing the only thing we can do until opening weekend, speculate, discuss, and hypothesize on the upcoming season. First things first, here's a list of games I plan to watch going into the season.

Oregon at Boise State, 9/3
Navy at Ohio State, 9/5
Georgia at Oklahoma State, 9/5
Alabama vs. Virginia Tech, 9/5
UCLA at Tennessee, 9/12
USC at Ohio State, 9/12 (could be there)
East Carolina at UNC, 9/19
Texas Tech at Texas, 9/19
California at Oregon, 9/26
USC at California, 10/3
Nebraska at Missouri, 10/8
Oklahoma vs. Texas, 10/17
North Carolina at Virginia Tech, 10/29
USC at Oregon, 10/31
Virginia Tech at East Carolina, 11/5
(these are games that have scheduled times on ESPN/ABC)

Ten Other mentionables
Tennessee at Florida
Florida at LSU
Florida vs. Georgia
Ohio State at Michigan
Iowa at Ohio State
Ohio State at Penn State
Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech
Nebraska at Virginia Tech
LSU at Alabama
Florida vs. SEC West in SEC Championship Game

Yes, I included Tennessee at Florida. Florida could (and more than likely) will put 90+ on the board; however... who knows what could happen along the course of the season that could change the outcome of this game (see, Stanford at USC, 2007).

Speaking of those beloved Gators, if they do happen to lose a game in 2009 with the schedule they have, they are not a lock for the title game. The schedule is rather lousy, and I think should several other title contending teams finish with a comparable win-loss record with the Gators (think Oklahoma, Ole Miss, LSU, Alabama, Georgia, USC) would be ahead of them in the computers due to much tougher schedules, and a few teams (Ohio State, Texas) would be on an even keel. In other words, it's 13-0 going into BCS season or BUST, Urban Meyer. And yes, I did include Georgia. Suppose the Gators beat UGA but in a close contest. Remember 2008 Texas/ Oklahoma? If Georgia's schedule holds up - the computers would be decisively in their favor should both teams have comparable win/loss records. All hypothetical, however.

Speaking of the Tennessee Vols, they may end the season as one of the worst points allowed defensive teams in history to make it to a bowl game, especially if Kiffin continues to rub his SEC counterparts the wrong way. I can't imagine how high the scores will run up against them against certain opponents. Yet, I do believe they'll win enough games to be bowl eligible. Here's how I expect their season to pan out...

9/5, Western Kentucky, 35-14 W
9/12, UCLA, 19-16 2OTW
9/19, at Florida, 0-96 L
9/26, Ohio, 20-10 W
10/3, Auburn, 24-23 W
10/10, Georgia, 21-26 L (sans any Richt swipes at this point)
10/24, at Alabama, 0-59 L (record low -173 overall yards, Saban = defense)
10/31, South Carolina, 24-55 L (SC's offense FINALLY comes alive under S.S.)
11/7, Memphis, 38-16 W
11/14, at Mississippi, 30-62 L
11/21, Vanderbilt, 29-16 W
11/28, at Kentucky, 33-30 4OTW (yet another 4OT thriller at UK)

Ok, so they'll only give up 423 points (35.25 a game) under my hypothesis. They'll still be 7-5 headed to a bowl, that's an improvement over 2008, right?

What are your thoughts? (my thoughts in parathesis)
Will the spread offense lead to a "spread" defense? (yes, already has, sorta)
Will someone OTHER than USC win the Pac-10? (... ask again in November)
Will Florida win it all in 2009? (brain says yes, gut says no)
Can Virginia Tech contend for a national title? (brain says no, gut says yes)
Can Ohio State win a big game again (they have before, and will in again in '09)