If you are looking for the cream in the Big Ten Conference this football season, look no farther than the Legends Division.
The Legends could have the Big Ten’s best teams. College football preview guru Phil Steele predicts Nebraska will win the division with Michigan and Michigan State in the two and three positions respectively. Steele believes both Michigan schools could contend for a divisional championship. That’s how evenly matched the three teams look.
The Leaders division is a different story. Wisconsin should win the division easily. In a regular year, Ohio State would challenge but the Buckeyes are ineligible for the title in 2012. That leaves the challengers as Illinois, Purdue, Penn State and Indiana. Can you say weak division? The most excitement could become the battle for fifth place between Penn State and Indiana. With all the problems at Penn State with conflict and player departures, the Hoosiers may have an opportunity to escape last place.
I think the Big Ten has two teams that could make noise on the national stage.
Nebraska finished just 9-4 last season, but the Huskers return seven players each on offense and defense. Nebraska has four difficult conference games with two of those at home. Wisconsin and Michigan come to Lincoln, but the Huskers must travel to Ohio State and Michigan.
Michigan will not contend for a national title, but could place a roadblock in another team’s quest. The Wolverines oppose Alabama in the opener in Arlington, Texas. Michigan has a brutal schedule including true road games at Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State. Its in-state battle with Michigan State is at home.
Who do you like in the Big Ten Conference this season?
Showing posts with label Phil Steele. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phil Steele. Show all posts
Monday, August 6, 2012
Monday, July 30, 2012
Talking College Championship Football
Phil Steele’s college football magazine is loaded with lists. He starts off on page 3 predicting every major bowl game opponents and the national championship participants.
For the national championship game (drum roll, please), he matches Oklahoma against Florida State.
Some predicted the Sooners to be the national champions last season. But a few key injuries derailed that pursuit and Oklahoma finished a “disappointing” 10-3.
The Sooners are usually a safe pick for the championship, playing their most recent final game in 2008 losing to Florida 24-14. They return eight starters on offense and seven on defense. Oklahoma should contend but must outlast a rugged Big 12 Conference slate where all 10 teams play each other.
Florida State is an interesting pick. The Seminoles were a respectable 9-4 last season and return eight starters on the offense and nine on the defense this year. Florida State advantage is a favorable schedule and membership is the traditionally so-so Atlantic Coast Conference. Two of the three challenging games are at home against Clemson and Florida. The one possible real trap is at Virginia Tech. Coach Jimbo Fisher is trying to carve out his own niche at Florida State, but he has a long road to match former coach Bobby Bowden’s success.
I’m fine with Steele’s Oklahoma pick, but not warm-and-cuddily regarding Florida State. The Seminoles need to win some big games AND avoid the upsets. I don’t see that happening.
Who is your national championship game pick?
For the national championship game (drum roll, please), he matches Oklahoma against Florida State.
Some predicted the Sooners to be the national champions last season. But a few key injuries derailed that pursuit and Oklahoma finished a “disappointing” 10-3.
The Sooners are usually a safe pick for the championship, playing their most recent final game in 2008 losing to Florida 24-14. They return eight starters on offense and seven on defense. Oklahoma should contend but must outlast a rugged Big 12 Conference slate where all 10 teams play each other.
Florida State is an interesting pick. The Seminoles were a respectable 9-4 last season and return eight starters on the offense and nine on the defense this year. Florida State advantage is a favorable schedule and membership is the traditionally so-so Atlantic Coast Conference. Two of the three challenging games are at home against Clemson and Florida. The one possible real trap is at Virginia Tech. Coach Jimbo Fisher is trying to carve out his own niche at Florida State, but he has a long road to match former coach Bobby Bowden’s success.
I’m fine with Steele’s Oklahoma pick, but not warm-and-cuddily regarding Florida State. The Seminoles need to win some big games AND avoid the upsets. I don’t see that happening.
Who is your national championship game pick?
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
THE College Football Preview Magazine
The college football preview magazines are out in full force as fans get ready for the season in about 6-8 weeks. There seems a variety of options similar to the different colors of the rainbow. I remember the old days when Street and Smith was nearly the only preview magazine produced.
One magazine that has made lots of noise in recent years is Phil Steele’s preview. Although I don’t usually buy a preview magazine, I decided this season I would check Steele’s out.
Steele consistently markets his magazine as the best. On the cover alone, Steele boasts big time. He writes: “The book the expects cannot do without” or “The most accurate preseason magazine the last 14 years” or “Jampacked with information.”
The book is thick with 344 pages and plenty of color photos and graphics. Steele devotes two pages to every Division I football team. He slices and dices each team. He is big on trends including seasonal trends from even 3-4 years ago. Steele’s book also provides plenty of lists. One thing is definitely true: there is lots of information.
But now for the downside. There is so much information stuck into a page that it makes it difficult to read. The print is small and it seems to run together. Your eyes are crying for some good old white space (for a break) and there is none. Because Steele is saving space, he also uses abbreviations in the written text. This is another non-friendly reader problem.
With all that said, I hope to become a team player and acquaint myself well with the book. I plan to use it for my blog.
Have you purchased a college football preview book? Which one do you enjoy? What do you think of Steele’s effort?
One magazine that has made lots of noise in recent years is Phil Steele’s preview. Although I don’t usually buy a preview magazine, I decided this season I would check Steele’s out.
Steele consistently markets his magazine as the best. On the cover alone, Steele boasts big time. He writes: “The book the expects cannot do without” or “The most accurate preseason magazine the last 14 years” or “Jampacked with information.”
The book is thick with 344 pages and plenty of color photos and graphics. Steele devotes two pages to every Division I football team. He slices and dices each team. He is big on trends including seasonal trends from even 3-4 years ago. Steele’s book also provides plenty of lists. One thing is definitely true: there is lots of information.
But now for the downside. There is so much information stuck into a page that it makes it difficult to read. The print is small and it seems to run together. Your eyes are crying for some good old white space (for a break) and there is none. Because Steele is saving space, he also uses abbreviations in the written text. This is another non-friendly reader problem.
With all that said, I hope to become a team player and acquaint myself well with the book. I plan to use it for my blog.
Have you purchased a college football preview book? Which one do you enjoy? What do you think of Steele’s effort?
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Rites of Summer
We have officially come to the summer season here in the United States. The calendar declared it yesterday on June 21. Believe it or not, the daylight starts to get shorter.
Summer, shorter daylight and the thoughts of college football?
You bet.
It’s time for all the college football magazines to appear on a newsstand near you. Maybe in this digital age the preview magazine will become a dinosaur, but let’s hope not. It a rite of summer just like swimming pools and barbeques.
Growing up as a kid, I turned to Street and Smith for my college football preview fix. The old black and white photos and less than fancy feeling paper highlighted the magazine. Street and Smith was probably the king of preview magazine in a small environment.
But now there are a host of different publications competing for the preview audience. There are fancy color photos and highlighted teams and conferences depending upon the region of the country you reside. For example, in my region, the magazines focus on the Big Ten and Big 12 Conferences.
Most people think Phil Steele puts out the most complete preview these days. Steele also seems to have a knack for correctly predicting the finishes of various teams.
So if you are hungry for some college football and cannot wait until the fall, you can satisfy your craving with one of many magazine preview choices. You can even read it while you’re down at the swimming pool.
Summer, shorter daylight and the thoughts of college football?
You bet.
It’s time for all the college football magazines to appear on a newsstand near you. Maybe in this digital age the preview magazine will become a dinosaur, but let’s hope not. It a rite of summer just like swimming pools and barbeques.
Growing up as a kid, I turned to Street and Smith for my college football preview fix. The old black and white photos and less than fancy feeling paper highlighted the magazine. Street and Smith was probably the king of preview magazine in a small environment.
But now there are a host of different publications competing for the preview audience. There are fancy color photos and highlighted teams and conferences depending upon the region of the country you reside. For example, in my region, the magazines focus on the Big Ten and Big 12 Conferences.
Most people think Phil Steele puts out the most complete preview these days. Steele also seems to have a knack for correctly predicting the finishes of various teams.
So if you are hungry for some college football and cannot wait until the fall, you can satisfy your craving with one of many magazine preview choices. You can even read it while you’re down at the swimming pool.
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