Football is Baaack!...2006 NCAA and NFL Preview

I am so glad football season is here, both college and pro. I've always been a huge fan and I would love to be an offensive coordinator someday if I tire of practicing law. Since I am a TN man, of course I am a Vols and Titans fan. Other teams I have liked since childhood, and my comments on their potential this season (as well as for the Vols and Titans):

NFL

1.) Tennessee Titans- I like the Kerry Collins signing b/c Billy Volek wasn't cutting it in the preseason against guys who will be bagging groceries this time next month. Collins is a strong-armed gunslinger who may not win you too many games on his own anymore, but at least he doesn't take anything off the table, and will help maintain respectability until Vince Young becomes the starter Opening Day 2007 or before. If the young veterans on D play up to their potential, this could be a 7-9 or 8-8 season, but no more than that. If not, they could be 4-12 and looking at another high draft pick in 2007.

2.) Chicago Bears- Outstanding defense carries the team, led by Brian Urlacher. They have speed to burn and major hitting ability, like the Ravens 2000 Super Bowl team, and might have actually gotten better in this year's draft. Rex Grossman is on a short leash though, having pulled a Volek in the preseason, and if he doesn't pick it up, Brian Griese may take his job. I have them pegged for 11-5 in an otherwise weak NFC North and a second round playoff exit due to lack of production at WR.

3. Denver Broncos- They are the likely AFC West champs and a potential Super Bowl pick. I have the over/under on Vandy alum Jay Cutler taking Jake Plummer's QB job at about Week 10, and if not, definitely by 2007 Opening Day. The defense has a window of about 2 years for Super Bowl potential left there, and UT alum Al Wilson is a beast. Look for them to go 12-4 or 13-3 and back to the AFC title game at a minimum.

4.) Carolina Panthers- I went to a Panthers game last year, and Bank of America stadium is gorgeous, a great place for football. This is also a blue-collar team absent of ego issues, which should help them back to the playoffs. I think this is a 10-6 wild card team that no one will want to play in the first round of the playoffs. Keyshawn Johnson is the quiet complement to Steve Smith with a good attitude Terrell Owens would be well-served to emulate. The D is still solid on the line, as are the starters in the secondary, but they've lost some depth. Nickel cornerback play and linebacker performance will make the difference between this being a borderline playoff team and Super Bowl champion.

NCAA Football

1.) MTSU Blue Raiders- I used to play there, and they did win the opener last night 7-6...I have them pegged for a 6-5 finish and second in the Sun Belt. They have decent talent on both sides of the ball and above average special teamsbut can't pick them as champs until they quit choking away big games. I also think they should have hired Major Applewhite (former Texas QB) as their head coach in the offseason.

2.) Tennessee Volunteers- This is perhaps the toughest of the prognostications to make b/c the Vols have the talent to compete for the SEC East title, go 10-2, and go to a BCS bowl game. If Arian Foster is the beast at RB he looked like last year and the D weathers the loss of 6 of its front 7 to the NFL, it's all up to Erik Ainge. If the QB looks more like the freshman sensation he was in 2004, I think it's a tossup between UT and Florida for the East, with the loser being slaughtered by Auburn in the SEC title game. If Ainge is more like the sophomore pile of hot mess he looked like in 2005, the team will go 3-8 this year enduring Jonathan Crompton's growing pains at QB b/c the non-conference schedule is brutal. The fan in me prays for the former, but since Phil Fulmer is still the head coach, I fear it will be closer to the latter.

3.) Florida State Seminoles- I always liked the Indian mascot, horse, etc. because Cherokee blood runs in my family. They always have a swarming, big-hitting speed defense, and this year is no different. The offensive specialists always turn the field into a track meet, but the O line is inexperienced and they haven't had a star QB since Charlie Ward left. If Drew Weatherford is even a decent game manager, this is a team in the hunt for an ACC title and a BCS bowl game. If he's better, they may be playing for the national title in January, but if he's worse, then they play in the Who Gives a Crap.com bowl in early Dec. at 6-5.