Yep, the only explanation is CFN thinks Florida has awesome talent that's greatly underachieved the past few seasons. Mags like Lindsy's that are riding Florida's jock are daft. I don't care how smart and talented Chris Leak is, the new offense is so radically different from the old that he'll struggle a bit, especially during the first half of the season. They do have a nicely paced schedule, but I still think 9-2 is the best they'll do this year. Interesting to me is the game at Alabama on October 1. The Tide has some talent but questionable depth; they should be fairly healthy and could realistically be 4-0 and ranked going into that game. Given the fact thisFlorida team lost on the road last year in, of all places, Starkville, that Bama game could be an upset special.
To be frankly honest, you could have said the same of mags ranking LSU in the top five this time last year. Our QB questions were more pronounced last year than this year, IMO, plus LSU was breaking in a WR corps that had little starting experience (Skyler being the exception, of course). Inconsistent QBs and WRs with little to no starting experience...well, you don't find that combo on many top five teams all that often.
Here's why Florida gets off so easy: Chris Leak. He was so-so last year. He was a terror the year before. He'll be good again this year.
Good points on Tennessee... There's little chance of them surviving @Fla, @ LSU, Georgia @ Jax, @ Ala and @ ND. PhatPhil returns to Alabama... some dates are worth savoring.
The media is betting on Urban Meyer to be the next Steve Spurrier. Thats why Florida is rated so high. I think it is justifiable.
Yes, the same could've been said of LSU last year, and we didn't end up ranked in the top 5. Tennessee is over-ranked and are getting WAY too much love for beating up on A & M in the Cotton Bowl. Is it just me, or does anyone else LOVE to see Fran get his butt handed to him? The Urban "Myth" Meyer lovefest will be interesting to watch. Let's see if he can win among the big boys on a week to week basis.
It would warm the cockles of my heart to see PhatPhil in the Peach Bowl one more time. Perhaps the gods will allow the SEC's most overrated team to play the Big Ten's most overrated - Michigan. Michigan's been ranked as high as 3rd in some preseason rags... go figure... they gave up an average of 33 points a game in their last four games... they lose their top two corners in Marlin Jackson and Ernest Shazor. They have the world's most conservative coach in Lloyd "here, use my" Carr... and, still, they are the darlings of preseason polls.
I really believe all the Vols offseason problems are gonna take a toll. They're due for a fall. Fulmer's had a horseshoe up his butt for too long. And I'm not sold that Clausen can repeat his Cotton Bowl heroics all season long. After all, most teams on their schedule will be better than last year's aggy (Cotton Bowl opponent) that made him look like a world beater. :wink:
