Vegas!

[Yeofoot]

Well, last year I put $10 on the Buckeyes right after Braxton went down and it paid 30-1. I'm going again in a few weeks. I think I'm going to put $10 on several of my friends' teams just so I have a reason to root for them when I have to watch the games.

Are there any teams outside of the obvious Alabamas, etc. y'all like?

[Spence]

I think Penn State can be a dark horse this year. It would pay well for sure. TCU will be right there this year, although they aren't a surprise.

[highfly24]

If your looking for a real dark horse, I think VA Tech could have a very good year. If they don't get crushed in the 1st game, they wont fall too far off pace. Their schedule sets up pretty nice to win the Coastal but they would need an upset win in the conf title game. Great thing about sports, those title games can be very unpredictable.

If you want a win it all team not in top 5, ugh it really sounds like ND could have a big year and we all know they would get gifted a playoff berth.

[Cane from the Bend]

That opening game for the irish ought be an interesting start ...
I'm sure Yeofoot & Strawman will be paying close attention.

As far as I know, the Longhorns have never visited South Bend before. Should be fun.
Will either of you be coming to the game..? I live only about a mile north of the stadium.

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[Spence]

If your looking for a real dark horse, I think VA Tech could have a very good year. If they don't get crushed in the 1st game, they wont fall too far off pace. Their schedule sets up pretty nice to win the Coastal but they would need an upset win in the conf title game. Great thing about sports, those title games can be very unpredictable.

If you want a win it all team not in top 5, ugh it really sounds like ND could have a big year and we all know they would get gifted a playoff berth.

They return a lot on both sides so they could very well be good. They need a field general, though.

[Yeofoot]

Good chance I'll put $10 bucks on all these mentioned.

I have good friends that are fans of all them. I would so be at the Notre Dame game if my wife had more vacation time. My freshman Dean is now a Dean at ND...yes, I got to know him very well as a young trouble maker!

I have been waiting for this game since it was announced! What a great test for both teams. The whole country will be watching. Everyone has a burning hatred for at least one of the teams!

Texas Wins: ESPN talks about how down Notre Dame is and how Charlie Strong is up for Coach of the Year for that week's news cycle. Lou Holtz will make me laugh at some absurdities.
Texas Loses: ESPN talks about how Charlie Strong is on his way out and Notre Dame will win the NC. Lou Holtz will make me laugh at some absurdities.

[Yeofoot]

Good chance I'll put $10 bucks on all these mentioned.

I have good friends that are fans of all them. I would so be at the Notre Dame game if my wife had more vacation time. My freshman Dean is now a Dean at ND...yes, I got to know him very well as a young trouble maker!

I have been waiting for this game since it was announced! What a great test for both teams. The whole country will be watching. Everyone has a burning hatred for at least one of the teams!

Texas Wins: ESPN talks about how down Notre Dame is and how Charlie Strong is up for Coach of the Year for that week's news cycle. Lou Holtz will make me laugh at some absurdities.
Texas Loses: ESPN talks about how Charlie Strong is on his way out and Notre Dame will win the NC. Lou Holtz will make me laugh at some absurdities.

[Eric]

If I were a gambling man, I'd check out odds for Clemson and Missouri. USC or Auburn could be worth a gamble too.

Michigan apparently is one of the popular picks. A lot of people are hoping that Harbaugh immediately makes a splash and catches lightning in a bottle. It's a sensible risk, but I don't think anything is going to happen on that front.

[Spence]

I think Clemson is a good pick too. Not sure they count as a dark horse, though, among anyone but the talking heads.

[Cane from the Bend]

If I were a gambling man, I'd check out odds for Clemson and Missouri. USC or Auburn could be worth a gamble too.

Michigan apparently is one of the popular picks. A lot of people are hoping that Harbaugh immediately makes a splash and catches lightning in a bottle. It's a sensible risk, but I don't think anything is going to happen on that front.

And I remember some years ago, you said something to that effect about a particular coach at Alabama.

If I remember correctly, it had to do with how Saban isn't really that great of a coach. That he had a 9 win season, mostly because of how the rest of the SEC had not yet adjusted to his coaching method; that now that they had played against it, his following season would be mediocre ... I believe he won a National Championship that next year, didn't he?



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[Eric]

I don't recall saying that. I've always been a fan of Saban at least when it comes to coaching (I assume he's probably a dirty recruiter, but who isn't). I remember thinking the Dolphins should have kept him on board.

[billybud]

I would not pick an ACC team to win it all...nor make the play off.

The ESPN narrative has already started....

If...

Ohio State is 13-0
LSU is 12-1
Georgia is 12=-1
TCU is 12-0
Pac 12 is 12-1

and ACC is 12-1.....the ACC will get left out this year.

[Spence]

I don't know how they can advocate leaving any team out before the games start. It is silly.

[Derek]

I don't know how they can advocate leaving any team out before the games start. It is silly.

It's just talk to get the ratings and spark conversation....

But billybud is right in terms of ESPN always trying to craft some narrative to cause discontent. Herb-street admitted as much when he spoke about 4 teams in the playoffs, I've linked to his comments before.

If everybody was happy with 4 teams, what's the incentive to go with 6 or 8?

Never let a crisis (or anger at being snubbed) go to waste
- A well know community agitator