Pat Forde's (of ESPN) Top 25 CFB 2006

[Drew Beringer]

"Picking the 2006 Top 25 in January is dumber than an improvised lateral on the dead run to an unsuspecting teammate. (Was that really you, Reggie Bush?) But that's the job today, pending radical rewrite after the NFL draft evacuation is over and signing day is complete"


1. Texas Longhorns
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
3. West Virginia Mountaineers
4. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
5. USC Trojans
6. LSU Tigers
7. Florida Gators
8. Oklahoma Sooners
9. Miami Hurricanes
10. Oregon Ducks
11. Michigan Wolverines
12. Auburn Tigers
13. Penn State Nittany Lions
14. Louisville Cardinals
15. Cal Bears
16. Virginia Tech Hokies
17. Georgia Bulldogs
18. Florida State Seminoles
19. Alabama Crimson Tide
20. Nebraska Cornhuskers
21. UCLA Bruins
22. TCU Horned Frogs
23. Arizona State Sun Devils
24. Iowa Hawkeyes
25 South Carolina Gamecocks

I dunno, I thought this would be fun to discuss.

[preppyak]

I really don't see Vince Young coming back now, I mean he can't really be more praised than he is now. Brady Quinn comes out next year, and he would go over Young because he has a better delivery. Young can only do what happened to Leinart, and that is drop for next years draft.

I think he should stay and take another year to improve, but he will lose a good amount of money that way.

This year, he could go Top5ish, probably not so much next year.

Vince Young could go to (this year):

1.Houston (if they decide Carr is less worthy than Davis)
2.New Orleans (brooks is worthless)
3.Tennessee (mcnair is getting older)
4. NY Jets - though I really doubt that wiht Brooks Bollinger and Pennington, they need a RB more
6/7. Oakland Raiders - Kerry Colins didn't do it this year, Tuiasosopo probably isn't more than a good back-up.

Next year, what teams need a QB.
San Fran - If smith fails, but I doubt they give up easily on that
Baltimore - since Boller probably won't turn it around, but their defense and Lewis win enough games they aren't top 5
Detroit - maybe, if harrington busts more, they might be top 5.
Kansas City, Dallas, Miami will all need younger QB's, if they don't get them in 05, but they have the talent to not be top 5 picks.

I think Young's best shot for $ via a good high pick is this year, not next year


Which means Texas isn't #1 next year
I see Penn State a little higher, probably 10 or 9.
The other picks seem good, within 1 or 2 of realistic.

[cubz84]

what? no Illinois? jk jk.

[PlaCracktheSky]

Your giving nebraska too much credit

[Talib Scottie]

I was close, I said

1 Texas
2 OSU
3 USC
4 Florida
5 Notre Dame

[preppyak]

I was close, I said

1 Texas
2 OSU
3 USC
4 Florida
5 Notre Dame
I would like to see Florida up high next year, like 4 or so.

[bigmike]

I really don't see Vince Young coming back now, I mean he can't really be more praised than he is now. Brady Quinn comes out next year, and he would go over Young because he has a better delivery. Young can only do what happened to Leinart, and that is drop for next years draft.

I think he should stay and take another year to improve, but he will lose a good amount of money that way.

This year, he could go Top5ish, probably not so much next year.

Vince Young could go to (this year):

1.Houston (if they decide Carr is less worthy than Davis)
2.New Orleans (brooks is worthless)
3.Tennessee (mcnair is getting older)
4. NY Jets - though I really doubt that wiht Brooks Bollinger and Pennington, they need a RB more
6/7. Oakland Raiders - Kerry Colins didn't do it this year, Tuiasosopo probably isn't more than a good back-up.

Next year, what teams need a QB.
San Fran - If smith fails, but I doubt they give up easily on that
Baltimore - since Boller probably won't turn it around, but their defense and Lewis win enough games they aren't top 5
Detroit - maybe, if harrington busts more, they might be top 5.
Kansas City, Dallas, Miami will all need younger QB's, if they don't get them in 05, but they have the talent to not be top 5 picks.

I think Young's best shot for $ via a good high pick is this year, not next year


Which means Texas isn't #1 next year
I see Penn State a little higher, probably 10 or 9.
The other picks seem good, within 1 or 2 of realistic.

he should come out next year.
harrington's not a bust, he's never gotten a fair shake in detroit, and he played behind one of the bottom 5 offensive lines. so it's not all his fault.
He won't be in Detroit next season anyways, he's owed too much money and i think a roster bonus so they'll cut him.

if young doesn't come out this year, he's retarded. Brady Quinn should be #1 next year so Vince better strike while the irons hot.

[bigmike]

the list looks fair enough. though, the buckeyes will drop throughout the year after losing key defensive players. Penn State will drop too after a few loses, since they lose something like 17 starters to the draft and maybe 18 if Posluzny jumps.
USC will stumble (by stumble i mean lose 1 or 2 regular season games) because you can't lose leinart, bush, potentially lendale white, and steve smith and be good with your playmakers.
Texas is hingent on Vince Young coming back (Which he shouldn't)
Nebraska and Michigan are too high.

and give some love to TCU. what the fuck more do they have to do, they win basically 10 games every season, jesus.

[Drew Beringer]

Your giving nebraska too much credit

lol I didn't make the list.

[wakeupgomer]

Okay Drew, great topic as always. I've listed my top 25 below. Keep in mind I'm not basing it on how they finished the season, but how I think they'll start next season. Any major changes are explained.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes -- I am very impressed with this team even though their D will need to be tested
2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- nearly everyone's coming back...Quinn included.
3. Texas Longhorns -- really depends if Vince comes back, but still solid team.
4. Michigan Wolverines -- losing Avant, but QB and RB are back.
5. USC Trojans -- tons of talent flocking to USC
6. Florida Gators -- Meyer gets his offense fully implemented
7. Auburn Tigers -- only going to get stronger with maturation
8. West Virginia Mountaineers -- they play in the Big Least, but should be a solid team.
9. UCLA Bruins -- tons of talent and I really like their chances if USC loses the big 3
10. Miami Hurricanes -- Mixed emotions; think Coker will sink or swim next year.
11. Florida St. Seminoles -- I'm a homer, BUT JuCo O-Linemen plus depth at skill positions & LB = success. My only concern for next year is our secondary with Cromartie entering the draft.
12. Penn State Nittany Lions -- Will build on this year's season but have a new QB/whole team.
13. Oklahoma Sooners -- Don't think they'll have another year like this year.
14. LSU Tigers -- very interested to see where the team goes.
15. Virginia Tech Hokies -- if Vick can stay out of trouble/D stays strong, could move in top 10
16. Iowa Hawkeyes -- if their coach stays, sure pick to succeed
17. Georgia Bulldogs -- big question mark at QB
18. Wisconsin -- how are they not mentioned after they spanked Auburn?
19. South Carolina Gamecocks -- Spurrier recruits very well; Mitchell has a year under his belt at QB
20. Arizona State Sun Devils -- PAC-10 sleeper pick next year
21. Alabama -- hard to put them higher with so many good SEC teams
22. TCU Horned Frogs -- token small conference pick each year, but like Big Mike says, give them love!!!
23. Oregon Ducks -- wasn't impressed this year at all. don't see a chance for much with USC, Cal & UCLA
24. Boston College -- think they'll be pretty tough next year; they are always scrappy
25 Nebraska Cornhuskers -- I still think firing Frank Solich was a M-I-S-T-A-K-E

[Talib Scottie]

I would like to see Florida up high next year, like 4 or so.
I was just trying to guess the preseason polls, ESPN has been talking them up.

[Drew Beringer]

Okay Drew, great topic as always. I've listed my top 25 below. Keep in mind I'm not basing it on how they finished the season, but how I think they'll start next season. Any major changes are explained.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes -- I am very impressed with this team even though their D will need to be tested
2. Notre Dame Fighting Irish -- nearly everyone's coming back...Quinn included.
3. Texas Longhorns -- really depends if Vince comes back, but still solid team.
4. Michigan Wolverines -- losing Avant, but QB and RB are back.
5. USC Trojans -- tons of talent flocking to USC
6. Florida Gators -- Meyer gets his offense fully implemented
7. Auburn Tigers -- only going to get stronger with maturation
8. West Virginia Mountaineers -- they play in the Big Least, but should be a solid team.
9. UCLA Bruins -- tons of talent and I really like their chances if USC loses the big 3
10. Miami Hurricanes -- Mixed emotions; think Coker will sink or swim next year.
11. Florida St. Seminoles -- I'm a homer, BUT JuCo O-Linemen plus depth at skill positions & LB = sucess. My only concern for next year is our secondary with Cromartie entering the draft.
12. Penn State Nittany Lions -- Will build on this year's season but have a new QB
13. Oklahoma Sooners -- Don't think they'll have another year like this year.
14. LSU Tigers -- very interested to see where the team goes.
15. Virginia Tech Hokies -- if Vick can stay out of trouble/D stays strong, could move in top 10
16. Iowa Hawkeyes -- if their coach stays, sure pick to succeed 17. Alabama Crimson Tide
17. Georgia Bulldogs -- big question mark at QB
18. Wisconsin -- how are they not mentioned after they spanked Auburn?
19. South Carolina Gamecocks -- Spurrier recruits very well; Mitchell has a year under his belt at QB
20. Arizona State Sun Devils -- PAC-10 sleeper pick next year
21. Alabama -- hard to put them higher with so many good SEC teams
22. TCU Horned Frogs -- token small conference pick each year
23. Oregon Ducks -- wasn't impressed this year at all. don't see a chance for much with USC, Cal & UCLA
24. Boston College -- think they'll be pretty tough next year; they are always scrappy
25 Nebraska Cornhuskers -- I still think firing Frank Solich was a M-I-S-T-A-K-E


First of all, let me be a homer and say that FSU should definitely be higher than Cal and Oregon and possibly Louisville. Yes, Brian Brohm is good but I think they've sort of topped out. I don't see Cal being better than USC and UCLA next year. And Oregon: how many times do I have to say they are overrated?

Yeah Oregon is way overrated every year.

[preppyak]

harrington's not a bust, he's never gotten a fair shake in detroit, and he played behind one of the bottom 5 offensive lines. so it's not all his fault.

if young doesn't come out this year, he's retarded. Brady Quinn should be #1 next year so Vince better strike while the irons hot.
Oh yeah, the Detroit line is bad, but Harrington just never seemed to be as good as people hoped.

I wonder how Texas does w/o Vince Young, where do they rank?

[imirish06]

He has WVU #3?

No disrespect to WVU but who do they have coming back besides they're wto studs on offense?

[imirish06]

I also believe there is no reason why Pittsburgh shouldn't be ranked in the top 25. Sure Wanny blows at coaching but he's recruiting like a beast

[itsjdiggity]

is the John David Booty era ready to begin?

[Doug]

notre dame 2 or 3

national championship next year will be nd osu

[itsjdiggity]

notre dame 2 or 3

national championship next year will be nd osu

if that happens, they'll show laura quinn on every play like they did this year

[LeftWideOpen]

and give some love to TCU. what the fuck more do they have to do, they win basically 10 games every season, jesus.

Yeah seriously. They'll be right around the top 15 in the preseason poll though based on their finish this season, so it's a good thing Forde doesnt have any say. I think they'll finally get their due next season with another 10-1 season and a BCS birth because with the new 5 game format any team that finishes in the top 12 of the standings and wins there non-BCS D1A conference receives a bid.

[bigmike]

Yeah seriously. They'll be right around the top 15 in the preseason poll though based on their finish this season, so it's a good thing Forde doesnt have any say. I think they'll finally get their due next season with another 10-1 season and a BCS birth because with the new 5 game format any team that finishes in the top 12 of the standings and wins there non-BCS D1A conference receives a bid.

yeah, i've always liked watching them just do nothing but win. I'm not saying put them top 5 but if you constantly go 10-1 year in year out how do they not get love and at least start them in the top 10.

[preppyak]

if that happens, they'll show laura quinn on every play like they did this year
she might as well suit up and play a series if she's gonna be on TV as much as she was, it's absurd. Also like them showing Bowden's wife like 10 times, even when she was sitting down behind fans the one time.

[bigmike]

if that happens, they'll show laura quinn on every play like they did this year

I think they'll show her less than half the time if ND goes to the title game.
They showed her a lot because of that whole boyfriend vs. brother thing. So really, she doesn't have nearly the appeal if it's just Brady Quinn in the championship game, there's no interest in Laura Quinn then. Unless she's fucking someone on the team ND would happen to be playing.

[mondeoman]

#8, right on
But I think FSU should be a little higher. I don't know if Nebraska is that good and finally Arizona State could be dangerous if Keller is healthy.

[make_this_hurt]

I'm quite suprised BC wasn't on the list. With a young QB and two good young RB's, they're gonna contend for the ACC title again.

[imirish06]

I agree with the ND/OSU National Championship.


If Ginn and Troy Smith play like they did against Notre Dame I have a hard time believing they won't land in the NC. Ginn should've been doing that all season, guy has ridiculous speed.

Maybe they should also air it out more like they did against Notre Dame. I don't remember seeing them doing that much during the season but it's obvious they knew where to hit Notre Dame.

[make_this_hurt]

OSU should contend... assuming their defense can fill some holes.

ND should contend as well, but they are still a recruiting class or two away from getting over the hump. Quinn is great, but I give it a few more years before the Irish are truly competing for a NC.

[preppyak]

I think they'll show her less than half the time if ND goes to the title game.
They showed her a lot because of that whole boyfriend vs. brother thing. So really, she doesn't have nearly the appeal if it's just Brady Quinn in the championship game, there's no interest in Laura Quinn then. Unless she's fucking someone on the team ND would happen to be playing.
Haha, that would make an awesome story. Brady and Laura Quinn: The We Got Fucked By the Other Team Story.

[gergs]

I also believe there is no reason why Pittsburgh shouldn't be ranked in the top 25. Sure Wanny blows at coaching but he's recruiting like a beast

Did you see them play Nebraska? First of all they lost to the Huskers, in what was easily the sloppiest game I've ever seen played in my life. The only good thing Pitt had was Larry Fitzgerald a couple years back. It doesn't matter what talent you bring into college if your coach cannot bring them to play at a higher level.

The Huskers are over-rated as well. My question is why isn't Texas Tech ranked when they beat the Huskers? They are more complete team than Nebraska. Granted Nebraska's defense is something else, but offensively it took them over half a season to get anything accomplished.

Go Minnesota (hoping Maroney sticks with us so we have slightly better than a snowball's chance in hell of making and staying the top 25)

[imirish06]

It doesn't matter what talent you bring into college if your coach cannot bring them to play at a higher level.


hahah tell that to the tools that put michigan in the top 10 every single year

[bigmike]

I also believe there is no reason why Pittsburgh shouldn't be ranked in the top 25. Sure Wanny blows at coaching but he's recruiting like a beast

if your team cannot beat Ohio University, not Ohio STATE, but OHIO UNIVERSITY, you should be barred from the top 25 until that entire roster, has graduated.