Peachton.com

It’s obvious that any team with 3 or more losses is long gone. These include UCLA, Mississippi State, North Carolina State, Ole Miss, Kentucky, Arizona, Boston College, Oregon State.

It is not out of the question that a 2 loss team can win a National Championship (LSU in 2007) but it is farfetched.

Looking at the schedule of Illinois, I am thinking there needs to be a rule about the number of home games a team can have. The Illini have eight games (out of 12 total) at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, IL including five straight to begin the season. By comparison, Texas and Wisconsin each have six in the their home stadiums. Most BCS schools have seven but smaller schools with more to prove like UNLV and the Florida Atlantic Owls have five.

How good is Wisconsin and Russell Wilson?

It is really hard to say right now. The Badgers have outscored three opponents 135 to 24. However, the defeated teams were the UNLV Rebels, the Oregon State Beavers and Northern Illinois Huskies.

• Vegas is a bad team. The Rebs lost even worse to Washington State 59-7 and a home loss to Hawaii 40-20.
• Oregon State lost to Sacramento State! ‘Nuff said.
• The Huskies beat Army but lost to Kansas – who was just destroyed by Georgia Tech
  

The latest challenge for the Badgers? The mighty Coyotes of South Dakota! I guess we will have to wait until October 1st when Nebraska Cornhuskers pay a visit to Camp Randall Stadium.

Which way did he go?
North, Nick DB Illinois Fighting Illini
Northern, Justin OL Fresno State Bulldogs
Northern, Zach LS Baylor Bears
Southward, Dezmen DB Wisconsin Badgers
Southward, Shawn RB Troy Trojans
East, Andrew LS Vanderbilt Commodores
West, Chad DL Cincinnati Bearcats
West, Cody QB Navy Midshipmen
West, Dylan WR Tennessee Volunteers
West, Forrest DE North Carolina State Wolfpack
West, Jarrod WR Syracuse Orange
West, Jarvis WR Iowa State Cyclones
West, Nick QB Cincinnati Bearcats
West, Patrick LB Houston Cougars
West, Zach OL Kentucky Wildcats

Let’s face it. Auburn’s success in 2010 and the difference between 14-0 and 9-4 were squarely dependent on quarterback Cam Newton and D-lineman Nick Fairley. Without them, the Tigers lose to Clemson, LSU, Alabama and possibly Arkansas, Mississippi State and Kentucky. But those two are gone and have left big gaping holes in the team.  That said, it could be a loooong year for the War Eagle.

Utah State Win
Mississippi State -  this game is a  toss-up. MSU is much improved and dangerous but the game is at Auburn.
at Clemson – another toss-up. Clemson will be hard-pressed to forget last year’s heartbreaking loss, when they missed an easy OT touchdown and an easier field goal. Played at Clemson.
Florida Atlantic Win
at South Carolina is going to have a better team than last year. 19 of the 21 projected starters are seniors and juniors and some of them will probably be leaving for the NFL (Alshon Jeffery, Stephon Gilmore). It is now or never. Plus, Steve Spurrier is getting old. Prediction: LOSS
at Arkansas – on the road against a team that also might be better even without Ryan Mallett. Prediction: LOSS
Florida – what a  tough SEC stretch! Finally, the Tigers get a home game. Too bad the also get another  LOSS
at LSU – and Baton Rouge makes four straight:  LOSS
Ole Miss – finally a  Win
Open Date
at Georgia – in Athens = LOSS
Samford Win
Alabama =  LOSS

*Bonus Prediction: reports of the deaths of the Toomer’s Corner trees were greatly exaggerated.

SEC WEST:

ALABAMA
Start of spring practice: March 21
Spring game: April 16

ARKANSAS
Start of spring practice: March 15
Spring game: April 16

AUBURN
Start of spring practice: March 23
Spring game: April 16

LSU
Start of spring practice: March 11
Spring game: April 9

MISSISSIPPI STATE
Start of spring practice: March 4
Spring game: April 9

OLE MISS
Start of spring practice: March 28
Spring game: April 16

SEC EAST:

FLORIDA
Start of spring practice: March 16
Spring game: April 9

GEORGIA
Start of spring practice: March 10
Spring game: April 16

KENTUCKY
Start of spring practice: March 30
Spring game: April 23

SOUTH CAROLINA
Start of spring practice: March 15
Spring game: April 9

TENNESSEE
Start of spring practice: March 22
Spring game: April 16

VANDERBILT
Start of spring practice: March 18
Spring game: April 17

UNC hopes to have one of the top defenses in the nation in 2011 football season. Experience will definitely point them in the right direction in 11 players returning with starting experience.

After a season of turmoil in 2010 that saw several Tar Heels suspended including safety Brian Gupton, safety Da’Norris Searcy and cornerback Kendric Burney, many young players got extended playing time and will return.

Defensive end Linwan Euwell and safety Jonathan Smith also saw suspensions for 2011 and are expected to compete for starting spots.