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Title: The Times-Picayune's preseason top 25 poll Post by: Coach Hank Crisp on August 09, 2011, 05:11:10 PM link (http://www.nola.com/lsu/index.ssf/2011/08/the_times-picayunes_preseason.html)
1 ALABAMA Last season: 10-3. Final AP ranking: No. 10. Notables: In his fifth year with the Crimson Tide, Coach Nick Saban has a fully mature program, which is capable of replacing four first-round draft picks, plus the quarterback of the 2009 national championship team. At some point a decision at quarterback between A.J. McCarron and Phillip Sims has to be made, and because of injuries and transfers, running back is thin behind Heisman Trophy contender Trent Richardson -- but arguably Saban's best defense can atone for any offensive shortcomings. Having LSU and Arkansas at home doesn't hurt, either. Predicted record: 13-0. Predicted bowl: BCS championship game vs. Oklahoma. 2 LSU Last season: 11-2. Final AP ranking: No. 8. Notables: The Tigers are a consensus preseason top 5 team and national-title contender despite having only one first-team All-SEC player, cornerback Morris Claiborne (Alabama has nine), a quarterback whose performance against Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl has produced wishful thinking that he's significantly improved and a coach who's still perceived as luckier than good. But this team could be more than a sum of its parts. Replacing punter Derek Helton and kicker Josh Jasper could be the difference between victory and defeat, especially on the road. Predicted record: 11-1. Predicted bowl: Sugar vs. Virginia Tech. 25 AUBURN Last season: 14-0; Final AP ranking: No. 1. Notable: The Tigers return only six starters from last season's national title team, and about the only recognizable name left is running back Michael Dyer. Predicted record: 7-5. Predicted bowl: Liberty vs. Southern Mississippi. 8) Title: Re: The Times-Picayune's preseason top 25 poll Post by: #1Tidefan on August 10, 2011, 01:25:20 AM Quote 25 AUBURN Last season: 14-0; Final AP ranking: No. 1. Notable: The Tigers return only six starters from last season's national title team, and about the only recognizable name left is running back Michael Dyer. Predicted record: 7-5. Predicted bowl: Liberty vs. Southern Mississippi. Cool lol...I'm really surprised the barn cracked the top 25... #+ Title: Re: The Times-Picayune's preseason top 25 poll Post by: SUPERCOACH on August 10, 2011, 01:39:02 AM Quote 25 AUBURN Last season: 14-0; Final AP ranking: No. 1. Notable: The Tigers return only six starters from last season's national title team, and about the only recognizable name left is running back Michael Dyer. Predicted record: 7-5. Predicted bowl: Liberty vs. Southern Mississippi. Cool lol...I'm really surprised the barn cracked the top 25... #+ Yep, especially with a predicted record of 7-5. Title: Re: The Times-Picayune's preseason top 25 poll Post by: BAMAWV on August 10, 2011, 05:02:50 AM Quote 25 AUBURN Last season: 14-0; Final AP ranking: No. 1. Notable: The Tigers return only six starters from last season's national title team, and about the only recognizable name left is running back Michael Dyer. Predicted record: 7-5. Predicted bowl: Liberty vs. Southern Mississippi. Cool lol...I'm really surprised the barn cracked the top 25... #+ |