2008 Preseason Poll: Rankings and Discussion (official thread)

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

Yep as 3074326 posted...

Mizzou returns alot of what they had last year...Kansas returns alot too, but don't look for them to be as good...TTech still has the great offense and hope for a little more D next year...Outside of that I really don't know what they are going to get with Nebraska, KSt, Baylor, etc but that is a very good top 5 that will rival any conference in the country...

I don't see how that - even as you establish it - is 2nd behind the SEC. I mean, you agree with me that Kansas will get the "darling" tag to begin 08, but won't actually be as good as 07. You agree with me that the North is crap (presumably agreeing with me that the winner of that Div. will be "overrated") and you agree with me that Tech would have a better D if you and I waved white towels at the French....

Now, I agree with you that the talking heads will yick yack about the Big XII, bla bla bla. But, in terms of actual strength.... even if these teams are as good as the poll indicates (Which, they're not) the bottom of the Big XII is dreadful.

[Oh8ch]

USC at #2 seems high to me. They have a new QB and lost a lot of players to the draft.

That new QB will either be the #1 rated QB prospect from 2005 or the #1 rated QB prospect from 2006.

And if you pay any attention to the recruiting rankings at all, from 2005 thru 2007 USC recruited 25 players who were ranked in the top 5 at their position. OSU grabbed 7 during that same period. They neither rebuild nor reload - they fire from a magazine of infinite capacity.

IMO #2 is too low.

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Originally Posted by Oh8ch

That new QB will either be the #1 rated QB prospect from 2005 or the #1 rated QB prospect from 2006.

And if you pay any attention to the recruiting rankings at all, from 2005 thru 2007 USC recruited 25 players who were ranked in the top 5 at their position. OSU grabbed 7 during that same period. They neither rebuild nor reload - they fire from a magazine of infinite capacity.

IMO #2 is too low.

Don't forget the media darling factor.

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by Buckeyeskickbuttocks

I don't see how that - even as you establish it - is 2nd behind the SEC. I mean, you agree with me that Kansas will get the "darling" tag to begin 08, but won't actually be as good as 07.

They return most of their team that was not just a media darling last year but a very solid team...Top 20 team this year IMO...

You agree with me that the North is crap (presumably agreeing with me that the winner of that Div. will be "overrated") and you agree with me that Tech would have a better D if you and I waved white towels at the French....

Tech was ranked to finish the season last year and most say they will have a better defense this year...As for the North being overrated two teams in the top 20 that return most of their teams that made for a great late season test last year all return...

Now, I agree with you that the talking heads will yick yack about the Big XII, bla bla bla. But, in terms of actual strength.... even if these teams are as good as the poll indicates (Which, they're not) the bottom of the Big XII is dreadful.

I honestly don't konw about the rest of their conference like I said, but I would expect Oklahoma st, colorado, aTm, Nebraska to field some decent teams...Probably on par with the Big ten and Pac-10 in the bottom of the conference...

The thing is Texas, Okie, and Mizzou give the conference three legit top 10 teams to start the season and that is better than every conference besides maybe the SEC and the Big ten could contend with maybe 3 legit top 15 teams, but then you start talking about Kansas and Tech maybe in the top 15...

[Buckeyeskickbuttocks]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

They return most of their team that was not just a media darling last year but a very solid team...Top 20 team this year IMO...

I can surely see your point, but I'm sticking with my gut. Fluke. I may be wrong, and hell... it's April... I reserve the right to change my mind.

Tech was ranked to finish the season last year and most say they will have a better defense this year...

Last time I heard that the Bucks hung 45 on them. I'll believe it when I see it.

As for the North being overrated two teams in the top 20 that return most of their teams that made for a great late season test last year all return...

Well, I'll give you Mizzu, but I'm (again) sticking to my guns on Kansas. KSU, Colorado, Nebby.... Iowa State... no thanks. I see these teams as .500 teams, to be honest. Sure, some will be 7-5, or whatever.... but there's no real contender in the bunch. 'Course now that I've said that Nebraska won't suck.

I honestly don't konw about the rest of their conference like I said, but I would expect Oklahoma st, colorado, aTm, Nebraska to field some decent teams...Probably on par with the Big ten and Pac-10 in the bottom of the conference...

I really don't see any of those teams as being worthy of any honorable mention. I don't know... YOu say OKy St, Colorado, aTm and Nebby and I see Purdue and Iowa... teams that might be able to make a run, before falling completely apart. Nebby a little less so since they used to be legit.... Colorado I'd like to like, but they've been a train wreck for years now.

The thing is Texas, Okie, and Mizzou give the conference three legit top 10 teams to start the season

Disagree. They may end up ranked that way, but I don't see Mizzu top ten. I'll give them knocking on the door, but .. I don't know... maybe - as I said above, I reserve the right to change my mind... they just always seem to fold, and that's what I expect them to do this year. I realize starting the year, as you say, isn't the same as finishing it...

and that is better than every conference besides maybe the SEC and the Big ten could contend with maybe 3 legit top 15 teams, but then you start talking about Kansas and Tech maybe in the top 15...

I don't, and wont, start talking about both Kansas and Tech as top 15. I'd be hard pressed to even give you one of them... certainly not both. Again, the polls might well come out as you're talking about. But... in terms of actual strength... eh.... I just don't see it. It's probably more a philosophical thing from my end... I really consider the Big XII over rated top to bottom, and I have for years. Take a look at the Big XII Championship game results since its inception.. you'll see what I mean. It's something like... 9 out of 11 years one of the two teams playing in it is a fucking 4 loss team (or maybe it's 3 losses, whatever.. I've done the research before, but don't want to do it again right now.). Seriously, it's really quite astonishing. (Edit - I should say, that's end of year record (including bowl game))