Top Teams Open Camp with Eyes on Pasadena
Dave Curtis - SportingNews.com
Aug 06, 2009
One hundred fifty-three days remain until the BCS championship game concludes another season in Pasadena, Calif. But already, as summer camps kick off around the country, the top teams are fixated on that date.
"Everybody's just so motivated to get there," Oklahoma defensive tackle Gerald McCoy said. "Our veterans know what it's like, and we have a lot of young guys who want it really bad."
The Sooners and defending national champion Florida lead a list of championship contenders that started practice on Thursday. Here's a primer of five of the big boys now underway:
Florida
On a limb: The Gators will sweep through the SEC, winning all 12 regular-season games by double digits and thumping Ole Miss in the conference title game. They'll head to Pasadena as a two-touchdown favorite.
Remember the name: Andre Debose. The true freshman has a similar skill set to ex-Gator WR/RB Percy Harvin. A hamstring injury reportedly slowed him this summer -- perhaps he has Harvin's durability issues, too.
SN Projection: No. 1 national ranking, 13-0 record, plays Texas in the BCS championship game.
Oklahoma
On a limb: The four new starters on the offensive line never jell, sending Sam Bradford's offense into a spiral. The Sooners' star QB is still a high draft pick struggles to make it to New York City for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
Remember the name: Jeremy Beal. Lost amid all the defensive stars who passed up the NFL draft to return to Norman, Beal, a junior defensive end, led OU in sacks a year ago and could end up an All-American.
SN projection: No. 3 national ranking, 11-1 record (loss to Texas), plays Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Virginia Tech
On a limb: Following the lead of 2008 ACC favorite Clemson, the Hokies get embarrassed in the opener against Alabama. Unlike Clemson, Va Tech rallies and returns to the top 10 by season's end -- and hang onto their coach.
Remember the name: Stephan Virgil. Sliding into Macho Harris' role as the top Hokie cornerback, Virgil at least should match his six interceptions from 2008 and contend for ACC defensive player of the year honors.
SN projection: No. 6 national ranking, 10-2 record (losses to Alabama and Georgia Tech), plays Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl.
LSU
On a limb: The Tigers spend a second straight year with QB questions before star freshman Russell Shepard takes the job at midseason. He and top WR recruit Rueben Randle, plus an improved defense, show signs of a burgeoning dynasty in the Bayou.
Remember the name: Charles Scott. Scott, the SEC's most proven tailback, will carry the Tigers' offense as the quarterbacks develop. Big games versus Georgia and Florida will push him into the Heisman chatter by Halloween.
Season projection: No. 8 national ranking, 10-2 record (losses to Florida and Mississippi), plays Penn State in the Capital One Bowl.
Alabama
On a limb: Bama's losses at quarterback and along the offensive line prove devastating in big games. The Tide's SEC title hopes end against LSU in November, Nick Saban's first home loss since the infamous Louisiana-Monroe game in 2007.
Remember the name: Dont'a Hightower. This defense could produce three All-Americans. But a breakout season from Hightower, a sophomore linebacker, will make him Saban's latest defensive star and keep the unit among the best in the nation.
Season projection: No. 13 national ranking, 10-2 record (losses to Mississippi and LSU), plays Michigan State in the Outback Bowl.
Dave Curtis is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at dcurtis@sportingnews.com.
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