Top 25 for 2010: Tech fans won’t like this; UGA fans might
The Crimson Tide will be high again in 2010, but dynastic? (AJC photo by Jason Getz)
Some folks crank out a preseason Top 25 during the fourth quarter of the BCS title game. I didn’t, for two reasons: First, I was still too astonished by Mack Brown’s shovel-pass-before-the-half to have a coherent thought; second, I wanted to wait and see which juniors were leaving. The shovel pass rankles still, but we now have clarity regarding the NFL early entrants. And here we go:
1. Alabama: Sports Illustrated just proclaimed the Tide a dynasty, which is cart-before-the-horse stuff. Wasn’t it this time a year ago that we were saying Florida was unbeatable?
2. Iowa: Football, as with all things in life, is cyclical. And we saw in the bowl season that teams from the slow and boring Big Ten looked neither slow nor boring.
3. Oregon: Football is cyclical. (Am I repeating myself?) There’s room at the top of the Pac-10, and coming off one Rose Bowl the fleet Ducks — is that an oxymoron? — are poised to go back.
4. Ohio State: Here we have a second Big Ten team before we come to our second SEC representative. I’m not trying to be a heretic. I just think Terrelle Pryor is really good.
5. Boise State: The Broncos leave their blue turf to play Virginia Tech in Washington, D.C., next season. I’m sorry, but I don’t see them winning that game.
6. Florida: Lost Tim Tebow. Lost three big-time defenders. Might lose the head coach. Probably won’t lose more than one regular-season game, though. Cupboard’s not entirely bare.
7. Texas: I keep hearing that Garrett Gilbert showed signs in the BCS title game of being a top-flight quarterback. I thought he showed signs of being not nearly as good as Colt McCoy.
8. Virginia Tech: If you’re looking for the nation’s most consistently overrated team, look first to Blacksburg. But I see the Hokies winning the ACC in 2010, which I guess makes me complicit.
9. Nebraska: Scan these ratings and you won’t find LSU. How long before the Tigers make a hard run at Bo Pelini, who has done nice work in Lincoln, to replace Les Miles? Not long, I think.
10. TCU: Interesting, is it not? With all the coach-swapping we’ve just seen, two guys still in place are the two who coached the Fiesta Bowl — TCU’s Gary Patterson and Boise’s Chris Petersen.
11. Wisconsin: Earlier I noted that the Big Ten isn’t all that ponderous anymore. It is, however, still powerful. Check out this offensive line if you’re a fan of road-grading.
12. North Carolina: It hasn’t yet happened for Butch Davis in Chapel Hill, but it’s getting closer. Last season he had the D. Next season he upgrades the O and finishes ahead of the reigning ACC titlist.
Iowa will be better in 2010. Tech will not. (AJC photo by Johnny Crawford)
13. Arkansas: Want a heartwarming story? Bobby Petrino upsets Alabama on Sept. 25, striking a blow for good guys everywhere. Yes, I’m kidding. About the story and the upset.
14. Pittsburgh: Dave Wannstedt wasn’t much of an NFL head coach, but he has built Pitt into something special. With Brian Kelly no longer at Cincinnati, here’s your Big East beast.
15. Georgia Tech: No, I’m not bailing out on Paul Johnson and his stylized offense. I just don’t think you can lose four of your five best players a year early and expect to be as good.
16. Penn State: Another Big Ten team! This one coached by a guy who fought in the Civil War! (I exaggerate, slightly.) Is the globe spinning backward on its axis? Is global warming real?
17. Oklahoma: We went almost a decade without being able to compile a preseason ranking that didn’t feature Big Game Bob Stoops in the top five. Time’s up on BGBS, I’m afraid.
18. Florida State: Two ways this can go in Year 1 after Saint Bobby — either the ‘Noles fall apart or they reclaim some sense of discipline. I’m taking Door No. 2.
19. South Carolina: This marks the 97th consecutive offseason Gamecock fans are getting geeked up for their big breakthrough. The 97th time just might be the charm, though.
20. Utah: The second-best team in the Mountain West (behind TCU) just might have the best coach (Kyle Whittingham). Tennessee just tried to hire him. He didn’t bite.
21. Georgia: Ten offensive starters return, but the exception is the quarterback. The defense gains Todd Grantham but loses six starters. You might say it’s a good-news-bad-news thing.
22. Navy: I’m not suggesting that losing Paul Johnson was a boost, but it didn’t exactly derail the Middies. They’re 18-9 in two post-PJ seasons. And they still run the ball.
23. Miami: Yes, there are four teams from the ACC Coastal on this list, another reason I don’t see Georgia Tech repeating. Although Tech should beat Miami this time.
24. Oregon State: The second-best team in the Pac-10 should be the Beavers, though it could be Stanford or Cal. It won’t be Southern Cal, though. You know why.
25. Houston: The Cougars have this quarterback. He has passed for 10,691 yards the past two seasons. His name is not Andre Ware. His name is Case Keenum. Pretty good name.
The Georgia defense in 2010: Not as many players but better-coached? (AP photo)
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539 comments Add your comment
collegeballfan
January 21st, 2010
12:48 pm
I do not think 2 ACC Coastal teams will be in the Top 12 as you have VT & NC. They play each other & one loses. Add that to the perception of the “weak” ACC and it ain’t gonna happen. Add Miami & GT from the Coastal and it guarantees it ain’t gonna happen. No top 10 BCS for the ACC unless they do it in a bowl before the final poll.
Bulldog38
January 21st, 2010
12:49 pm
Okay. Thanks Mark. I have enjoyed (most of) your writings over the years. I do have to disagree with you about the Dawgs in 2010, though. They have 15 starters returning. Not including an outstanding punter and kicker. Both of whom will be juniors in 2010. The schedule is definitely easier than it has been the past couple of years, also. I like the way it sets up. If they win at Carolina in the second game of the year, they should be undefeated heading into the WLOCP in Jax. as they will be favored in every game in between those two.
Dorsey Hill
January 21st, 2010
12:53 pm
I think the defensive losses are a little overrated. Curran was good to be sure but he actually wouldn’t be a very good fit in the 4-3 anyway. Reshad was hit and miss and I think that the Rambo/ Hamilton combo will be an improvement over Jones/Evans. Prince Miller looked lost quite a bit of the time and while a good punt returner and decent in run support his pass defense was lacking. We do lose three guys at DT, 2 of which would have been NT’s and one who may have made a good 3-4 DE (Atkins). I think the starting line-up will look something like this:
NT- Tyson
DE- Dobbs
DE- Houston
OLB-Robinson
OLB-Washington
ILB- Gamble
ILB- Dowtin
CB- Boykin
CB- Smith
FS- Hamilton
SS- Rambo
If you picture that line-up, its pretty impressive. Add Abry Jones, Nick Williams, Akeem Dent, Kwame Geathers, Sanders Commings, etc… as reliable back-ups and I think you have the makings of a pretty good defense.
On offense, believe me when I say do not worry about Murray. The kid will be a stud right out of the box. With the weapons around him at WR and TE and Ealey and King taking pressure off, I see an Eastern Division Champion in the makings. And I don’t always look through rose-colored glasses as I said that the 2009 squad looked like a potential 6-6 team to me. Had the run game not turned around towards the end it could have been 5-7.
Not anybody you know !
January 21st, 2010
12:54 pm
UGA’S only queston mark is at quarterback. I don’t really see them doing alot better in 2010. As for Tech, Loseing 3 or 4 starters hurts alot. Tech does’nt have people sitting on the bench ready to play like S.E.C teams do. I am not sold on this great offense CPJ runs. It has been proven it can be stopped. And just as the old wishbone was good when first introduced, defense coach’s figured it out. And these days no one runs it anymore. Of course I could be wrong.
Where have you gone Jim Bob Cooter ?
January 21st, 2010
12:57 pm
Ten to watch :
Teams on the way up :
1) Boise State . The Broncs are maybe not SEC real. But they are real. With the right breaks,Boise could play for the big enchilada in 2010.
2) Virginia Tech. A years maturity for a really young 2009 squad will do wonders. ACC champs if they don’t have any suspensions or stupid spring game injuries.
3) Arkansas. Bobby Petrino is a snake in the grass. But he’s a snake in the grass that can coach. Fear the oinkers in ‘10.
4) South Carolina. The receivers should be special. The “Ol ball coach probably has one more championship run left in him. It will be now or never this fall for the poultry.
5) Nebraska. Things are lookin’ up in Lincoln. Bo Pelini came within one second of upsetting Texas. When Pelini’s recruits start filling up the roster ,watch out.
Teams on the way down.
1) Tennessee. The schedule is really tough this fall. Its possible that the Vols could face two top 5 teams in the first month. A 2-7 start is not out of the question.
2) Texas Tech. Tommy Tuberville inherited a mess in Lubbock. He still hasn’t won over all the old Mike Leach supporters and he will be installing a new ,more deliberate offense. Tubs has his work cut out for him.
3) South Florida. Remember when the Bulls were ranked number 2 nationally not so long ago ? Those days will seem like a million years ago unless Skip Holtz can pull off a miracle in Tampa. Ousted coach Jim leavitt left a mess for Holtz to clean up and things look to get worse before they get better.
4) Buffalo. Turner Gill has been replaced by Jeff Quinn and that probably means that the Bulls 15 minutes of college football fame are about up.
5) LSU. Les Miles had better start feeling the heat and make some wholesale changes in Red Stick or the bourbon soaked masses that infest Tiger Stadium will ask , and then tell, him to geaux away. Basic clock management would be a great place to start.
Max
January 21st, 2010
1:00 pm
Haha. Mark you got it all wrong. The idiot redneck uga fans are the ones who didn’t like what you wrote. They are the most delusional fan base out there. Even with last year fresh on their minds and them talking Joe Cox up like he would be Greene’esque-, they still think they will have a qb who wins all their games. Man what is in the koolaid these dawg fans drink? Your team IS NOT elite. Your coach isn’t either. You are historically a 3-4 loss program. You lost that many with 2 first rounders in the draft and the #1 qb. Wake up morons. If your fresh qb’s were any good, they would have started last year. It will take 2-3 years before they any of them show some stability. You talk about murray and he hasn’t even played in 2 years. LOL. Man you ga fans are idiots. It will be the same scenario all over again. 4-5 losses and with an easy schedule to boot.
Afternoon Grab Bag | MrSEC.com
January 21st, 2010
1:00 pm
[...] team?7. It’s been a pretty bizarre 50 days in Gainesville.8. Mark Bradley of The AJC has posted his early Top 25 for 2010. (Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, South Carolina, and Georgia are represented. LSU is not.)9. Georgia [...]
Right
January 21st, 2010
1:02 pm
UGA’s fanbase of jealousy is great…but don’t worry about BAMA – worry about beating UF – 1st things first…
As for Grantham…. Funny you got your guy after being turned down 5 times by better coaches…UGA is spiraling downward…hold on…the wagon is about to unload….
TechGold
January 21st, 2010
1:05 pm
You’re right. You’re an idiot Bradley.
Bill C
January 21st, 2010
1:06 pm
Funny comments on here, especially form Mark “Turnaround” Richt. Seems Bama hung 40+ on Richt the last time we played. And to the guy who says we need a better QB? All the guy has done is go undefeated in High School and College..
We do have some reloading to do on defense, but we certainly have the talent on hand. It’s about building a team, which I have no doubt that Saban will do just fine..When is the last time Georgia has done so?
If we get through our first 4 games undefeated, then we will be back in the SECCG. If the Dawgs win 8, I’ll be surprised..Richt is on the hot seat…
By the way, all of the “Pre-Season” predictions are full of crap..They shouldn’t even have any polls until after the 4th game of the year..
Also, GT beats Georgia this year…They may have lost 5 great players, but they now have a DC that will right that part and their offense just reloads…In fact, Groh is just as good a hire as Grantham..
Bobbi Dud
January 21st, 2010
1:06 pm
Tech is in big trouble this coming season! Too much talent to the NFL! Incoming recruits not at the level of Gailey’s ! Good to have a new DC but not much to work with…Yeah..Navy has done great without Johnson because Johnson was not big on defense… but after last season with the terrible D..maybe he sees the LIGHT !!
Gatorguy
January 21st, 2010
1:06 pm
Ok, the little mutts have a new DC and new QB….let’s see…I predict
(((((((((((((((40-3))))))))))))
And that’s with the black jerseys and helmets.
RT
January 21st, 2010
1:08 pm
NO WAY GT beats Miami!
willie martinez
January 21st, 2010
1:11 pm
so a season without me is like a national championship?
Reality Check
January 21st, 2010
1:15 pm
Max you are the idiot. UGA is such a bad program, 90 wins in 9 years under CMR= 10 wins a year you moron. After CMR’s first year 82 wins in 8 yeaars= 10.25 wins a year. The freshman quarterbacks did not start last year because true freshman QB’s do not traditionally fare well. UGA should get enough QB play with the running game to at least go 9-3 with an easier schedule, with 2011 should be even better. Also look at the competition, Auburn, UF, and UT also have new quarterbacks coming back. No way the Defense is not better in 2010. UGA not NC’s in 2010 but anyone who claims UGA is middle tier on this blog under CMR is smoking crack. Winning or equal records against Alabama, LSU,Tennessee and Auburn. Poor W-L against UF is the only exceptions, three BCS games in nine years.
wolfman
January 21st, 2010
1:17 pm
I am a Jackets fan, but I try not to let emotion get in the way of reality. Tech will be good, but will have a hard time repeating its success because of losses in players as well as the fact that the competition in the ACC will be better. If they finish in the top 20 I will be happy. I also believe that UGA will be much better. They now have a defensive coach and at some point all of those top 10 recruiting classes have to show up.
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:18 pm
Georgia tech lost 4 big time players to the nfl, most will be 1st round picks. Still paul johnson will find a way to have success in and out of the acc. I like doubters
Gt4ever
January 21st, 2010
1:19 pm
UGA fans, always thinking their team is better than they really are….. Some things never change!
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:20 pm
If groh can build a defence here at tech that we are accustomed to seeing accept for this year, georgia tech will be bac to being a big time program. They are headded in the right direction. Lets get back to georgia tech football groh.
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:21 pm
Gt4ever i agree with you on that. No knock o0n georgia fans accept that yall play in the country and sleep with your sisters….isn’t that incest….(rednecks)
80 Dawg
January 21st, 2010
1:23 pm
Take any team that is in your top ten,place them in the SEC instead of the conf. they play in. They wouldn’t be able to make it into your top twenty five!
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:23 pm
Georgia tech is having some big visits in the next month….we have 4 4star players coming in, 1 5 star player coming in and 2 players that were committed to other teams coming in…those guys are 4star players to….go jackets!!
#1 BAMA FAN
January 21st, 2010
1:24 pm
To all of the BAMA haters, line it up! Mr Mark “MR T” Richt blogger do you remeber the “blackout game” we won’t need to throw the ball much just line up and bust you in the mouth. You don’t have to have an offensive genius when you teach and play defense….watch and see, going for three straight regular seasons…undefeated! RTR
David Granger
January 21st, 2010
1:25 pm
Frankly, I wish Georgia were completely unranked. For some reason, we Dawg fans worry way too much about preseason ratings. Two years ago, being ranked #1 was the WORST thing that could have ever happened to us. Had half the Bulldog nation slinging BS and talking smack…as if a preseason rating meant a damn thing. (Sounded like that FSU scum.)
We’ll get our chance to prove how good we are on the field, where it counts. Preseason crap means absolutely nothing.
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:25 pm
80 dawg…are you kidding me you goober? Georgia tech spent 25 years in the sec where they only won 6 sec championships and 3 national titles…..next!
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:26 pm
I am one that really cares less about uga, but i tent to garee with david granger %100
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:28 pm
AGREE….SORRY!
Rival Fans are Idiots!
January 21st, 2010
1:28 pm
I truely beleive people say anything just to get people to read their comments. If all of you UGA haters were correct in your predictions then they wouldn’t even play the game. Please continue to put the Dawgs down. It just makes you look even more stupid when they do the opposite of what you predict. LOL!!!Puck BAMA, GAYTORS, and YECH!!!!GO DAWGS!!!
80 Dawg
January 21st, 2010
1:29 pm
Oh so sorry Gt top dogs, i was busy talking to your sis i thought we were talking about next year not the past NEXToh look now your mom is here
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:31 pm
But the funny thing is “rival fans are idiots” all the teams you posted about dont only have good football teams, they have good basketball programs and good baseball programs, unlike uga. Also you know what these teams you talk bad about have in common? They all have more national titles then UGAY
Rival Fans are Idiots!!
January 21st, 2010
1:32 pm
GT4ever, you can plug any team into your statement. All fans think their teams are better than they actually are.
McDawg
January 21st, 2010
1:32 pm
of the 6 positions that are open my only concern is corner and DT-IF IF IF LBs stay healthy we are going to be tough-need a really quick NT in the same mold as J. Sullivan and C. Irvin as well
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:33 pm
So stick with your team that chokes every year and continues to let you down ok……we will stick with ours. lol
dan
January 21st, 2010
1:34 pm
I really don’t think you can take the past into consideration when you’re talking about the UGA football program now. Richt never had a 5 loss season prior to last year, but they had one. Bringing in a coach from the outside( especially the NFL) is something that is foreign to Mark Richt. This isn’t just a coaching change, it’s a culture change!
The Gators are going through the same thing. I mean when you lose your DC, OC, recruiting coordinator, almost half your returners, and a head coach who is on the fence, that’s a HUGE culture change! Gators could be bad next year gang!
As for McElroy: he does what Saban needs him to do which is manage the offense. He’s a 3 star player who can play above his ability at times( i.e. Florida game), but then he’ll come crashing back down to earth and have a 100 yard passing game. I remember going into the Texas game, everyone was talking this guy up based on what he did vs. Florida; and I was like just watch! This guy is going to suck in the Championship game, his tank is on empty, hurt ribs or not. Bama was able to get away with it because their running game is good, but teams are going to start shutting that down next year. And for Bama to repeat they have to have more balance on offense and Julio Jones has to become a BIG part of their offense again. He’s too talented and too big of an offensive weapon for Saban to just use him as a down field blocker.
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:36 pm
Guys come on now, i can remember when uga won 7-8 games a year like alot of teams did. Georgia just got pretty good here in the last 10 years.
Technophobia
January 21st, 2010
1:36 pm
Mark, how will UGA rank as far as arrest record? Any breakdown of felonies vs. misdemeaners?
Rival Fans are Idiots!!
January 21st, 2010
1:37 pm
GT top dogs!!! Really??? Just because you say doesn’t make it true. My fellow sports fan, you really aren’t trying to say GT, Bama, and UF in the same senctece are you. I did because that seems to be the only rival fans on here today. I believe the last time UGA and GT played in basketball UGA won, the last time UGA and GT played football UGA won. I believe we have been to more World Series in Omaha here recently as well. Again Rival fans are idiots and quite funny.
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:38 pm
LMAO TECHNOPHOBIA
P. Bull Terrier
January 21st, 2010
1:38 pm
I’d vote Alabama #1 based on the opening picture alone.
Here’s an idea for you, Mark. Create a Pre-season Top 25 based on nothing but cheerleader pictures. After the final BCS Rankings are out next season, we can go back and see if ranking the teams that way is any more or less accurate than pre-season rankings based on reputation and speculation.
Rival Fans are Idiots!!
January 21st, 2010
1:39 pm
Hey Technophobia, I believe Coach Richt has fixed that problem. That problwm was fixed last year. Nice try though.
Gen Neyland
January 21st, 2010
1:41 pm
MB : How about a Top 25 Preseason SOS ranking to go along with this pre preseason gaggle..? And thanks for keeping USC West on the sidelines…
Bamahater
January 21st, 2010
1:41 pm
With Cameron Newton at QB, Auburn beats UGA for the second time and wins the SEC……
PT
January 21st, 2010
1:41 pm
All Bama’s tough games are on the road. I just can not see them making it unscathed this year. If they do then SI is quite competent. GT is a stretch. Georgia is conservative.
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:42 pm
Look the sun shines on a monkeys butt once in awhile fellow. Ok you beat us in hoops this year, but we dominate Uga in the all time series. Look what school has the most national titles as a school. Im not gonna throw out any numbers right off my head but i seen it the other day and cant remember. What i can remember is georgia tech lead ugay by 13 titles i think it was. Also i know your not comparing uga’s baseball program to georgia tech’s are you? Lets see who has been to the most college world series
nickj0321
January 21st, 2010
1:43 pm
haha…uga fans are so blind
Lord of the Lizards
January 21st, 2010
1:44 pm
First of all, Meyer will be back. Heck, I don’t think he ever left since he has been in his office every day. But starting Feb 4th he will be on an extended vacation. Might be back for spring ball, might not depending on him. WILL be back in August for fall practice ready to go. Heck, the way recruitings going, he might do the exact same thing next year. Gators go 11-2 in 2010, win the East again beating out S. Carolina and play the Tide in the Dome…with hopefully a lot less drama in the season…
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:44 pm
Heyredneck rival fan….your not ever gonna convince us to be ugay fans…we dont wanna be let down every year. Say what you wont but atleast we win a national title once in awhile in football
Gt top dogs!!!
January 21st, 2010
1:47 pm
lol my damn spelling is off today…guess it was the 1 class i took at uga….lmao jk
dawg
January 21st, 2010
1:48 pm
Tech will not be in the Top 25 next year, the offense is too predictable and they cannot pass the football.
JDW
January 21st, 2010
1:48 pm
So if Boise can’t beat Va Tech in DC how can they be 5? I quit reading after that gem.