Dave Thurman (11:50 pm)

As the '09 season draws closer I want to take a moment to share a few of my "gut feelings."  If I were more confident I might title them "Things I know I know," but since the world of college sports is so unpredictable I'll leave it as is.  Here goes:

1.  Florida is going to be awfully tough to beat - With Tim Tebow back for one more go around, and all 11 starters (you read that right) back on defense, the only thing the Gators have to fear is overconfidence.  They don't have to play Alabama or Mississippi, which is a big break, but do face LSU on the road.  I am not a fan of Urban "legend in my own mind" Meyer, but he has this team poised to play for all the marbles again.

 2.  Lane Kiffin better buy an asbestos suit - This guy has done everything possible to antagonize the rest of the SEC, as the only thing bigger than his ego is his mouth.  He has brought in a great staff, and a fine recruiting class headed by Bryce Brown, the #1 running back in the country last year.  He also inherits some major defensive talent (including Ben Martin, Rico McCoy and Eric Berry who OSU coveted).  However, he also takes over a team that went 5-7 last year, and has to play at Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, besides hosting Auburn and Georgia.   It might get hot in Knoxville real quick for Mr. Kiffin!

3.  You'll hear more than once that this is the year of the quarterback - With good reason, I might add.  Sam Bradford, Tim Tebow, and Colt McCoy (the top three for the Heisman in '08) headline a class that also includes Jevan Snead, Zac Robinson, Jimmy Clausen, Juice Williams, Daryll Clark, and Terelle Pryor.  And in smaller markets there are some terrific QB's like Dan LeFevour (Central Michigan), Max Hall (BYU) and unheralded Colin Kaepernick (Nevada) who threw for nearly 3000 yards and rushed for over 1000 last year!

4.  Notre Dame will sneak back into the Top 20 - It pains me to write this but even Charlie Chuckwagon can't screw up Jimmy Clausen throwing to Golden Tate and Michael Floyd.  They will be explosive and if the defense continues to improve, Notre Dame will be looking at a double figure win total, fueled by a light schedule. 

5.  Mississippi will find success hard to handle - Everyone is jumping on the Rebel bandwagon following a surprising nine win season highlighted by a victory over Florida.  With 16 starters returning they should be good again, but may find it tough to get through the SEC with a bullseye painted on their chest. 

6.  Minnesota will put up big-time passing yardage - Adam Weber returns at the helm and has the most underrated receiver in the country in Eric Decker.  But the big news is that the Gophers signed the most sought after JC receiver in the country in speedy wideout Hayo Carpenter, who caught 111 passes as a senior in high school, and then caught 173 passes for over 3000 yards in two years of junior college.  Minnesota will unseat Purdue as the new Big Ten version of "basketball on grass."

7.  Joe Paterno will run off the field more than once during a game as his aged bladder and bowels find TV timeout inspired games too much to handle.  I kid! PSU fans don't hate on me, I love Joe and I am only teasing.  However, one wonders if either Joe or Bobby Bowden will collapse on the sideline some year in the near future if they keep coaching. Nah - it will probably happen to Charlie Weis instead, as his heart will give out from overwork!

8.  A non BCS conference team will make some noise again - Last year it was Utah who had a chip on their shoulder as their 12-0 regular season was disregarded by voters, and promptly dismantled 9-point favorite Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.  This year watch out for Boise State, BYU and TCU.

9.  Texas Tech will start a no-name quarterback and watch him throw for over 4000 yards.  Yawn!  Haven't we seen this story before.  This year's candidate is Taylor Potts as Mike Leach proves he can make a star out of almost anyone with a decent arm. 

And, finally, drum roll please...

10. There will be great controversy over who should play in the BCS Championship Game!  How's that for a bold final prediction!

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