BlockONation's Ridiculously Way-Too-Early Top 10 For 2010—Number Nine

by HD Handshoe
Founder—Block-O-Nation



Welcome to our 10-part series highlighting our picks for the way-too-early top 10 preseason teams in the nation for 2010.

One at a time, our top 10 will be revealed, leading up to No. 1.

As always, we want to know what you think as well, so please post your thoughts in the comment section.

Bookmark the site if you haven't already and feel free to tell all your friends about us too!

---

Now, on with the countdown...



Number 9—TCU Horned Frogs

TCU had an amazing season in 2009, going unbeaten (12-0) and busting the BCS to earn a spot in the 2010 Fiesta Bowl.

Unfortunately for them, the BCS Monopoly forced them to play fellow BCS Buster Boise State rather than Florida, Cincinnati, Iowa, or Georgia Tech.

The game was fairly evenly matched, and Boise won to cap off a perfect season of their own (14-0), but we really wanted the opportunity to see just how good the two teams were against the big boys.

Maybe next year, but probably not...

Speaking of 2010, TCU should once again be highly ranked to start the season, and deservedly so, as most of their key starters return.

The Horned Frogs lose only two starters on offense—left tackle Marshall Newhouse and tailback Joseph Turner, meaning their somewhat unheralded star QB Andy Dalton will be back for his senior season.

Dalton threw for over 2750 yards, 23 touchdowns, versus only eight interceptions, while posting a 151.8 QB efficiency rating.

Seven starters are coming back on the defensive side of the ball, but defensive end Jerry Hughes, linebacker Daryl Washington, and cornerbacks Nick Sanders and Rafael Priest leave pretty big shoes to fill.

TCU will open its season at Dallas Cowboys Stadium against Oregon State on Sept. 4.

The Horned Frogs also have a home game against Baylor and a road game at SMU in their non-conference schedule.

They should have a legit chance of going 12-0 again if they come close to meeting the high expectations that will be placed upon them.

Although they will likely begin the season in or near the AP top 10, in the end, I personally don't see them remaining unbeaten, or thus in the top 10 too far into the 2010 season.

2010 Regular Season Projection

Possible Losses
Oregon State, Baylor, BYU, and Utah

W/L Record
It's tough to say for sure, but I think TCU wins eight games for sure, and maybe as many as 10 depending on the health of Robert Baylor from Baylor and if they are a little lucky as I expect Oregon State, BYU, and Utah to all be top 25 teams this coming season.

Last season, the Horned Frogs went 8-0 in the Mountain West. I don't believe they will repeat that feat in 2010, but ultimately, they could win the MWC if they don't lose to both BYU and Utah.

I expect to see them in a decent bowl game, but not likely another BCS game this coming year.


Number eight, coming soon!


Click For Block Nation Front Page

BlockONation's Ridiculously Way-Too-Early Top 10 For 2010—Number 10

by HD Handshoe
Founder—Block-O-Nation



Welcome to our 10-part series highlighting our picks for the way-too-early top 10 preseason teams in the nation for 2010.

One at a time, our top 10 will be revealed, leading up to No. 1.

As always, we want to know what you think as well, so please post your thoughts in the comment section.

Bookmark the site if you haven't already and feel free to tell all your friends about us too!



Number 10—Wisconsin Badgers

The Badgers proved me wrong in 2009. I thought seven wins would be about the best they could hope for, but after treading on thin ice for the past two so-so seasons, Bret Bielema has Wisconsin back on track.

To almost everyone's surprise, the Badgers beat Miami 20-14 in the Champs Sports Bowl to finish the season 10-3.

With running back (and Big Ten Offensive POY) John Clay coming back, and quarterback Scott Tolzien exceeding the output I foresaw for him, the Badgers could be scary good on offense in 2010.

Tight end Garrett Graham is the only offensive starter leaving. Five defensive starters will have to be replaced, but that unit wasn't exactly the Badgers strong suit in 2009, so they should be just as good defensively in 2010—whether or not that is saying much, or not, remains to be seen.

Much like 2009, the Badgers' out-of-conference schedule isn't exactly full of challenges. UW will travel to Vegas to take on UNLV, and they will host San Jose State, Arizona State and FCS foe Austin Peay.

In conference, Wisconsin will travel to Michigan State, Iowa and Michigan, but will host Ohio State at Camp Randall in what should prove to be their toughest game of the year.


2010 Regular Season Projection

Probable / Possible Losses
Ohio State, Iowa / Michigan, Northwestern

W/L Record
For my money, 10-2 is possible and the most likely record for Wisconsin in 2010, but 8-4 is also possible. I believe UW will win nine or 10 games, and finish third in the Big Ten, likely behind Ohio State and Iowa.


Number 9, coming soon!


Click For Block Nation Front Page

Short and Sweet: The REAL 2009 NCAA Football Preseason Top 25

by HD Handshoe
Founder
BlockONation.com




Like the title says...short and sweet rankings and why.

Here we go!


1-FLORIDA

Tim Tebow plus everyone back but Harvin.

2-TEXAS

Colt McCoy is that good.

3-USC

Offense will be almost as good. Defense will be reloaded.

4-OKLAHOMA

OU lost some guys but Bradford is still there plus not one, two 1000 yard running backs.

5-OKLAHOMA STATE

Robinson, Bryant, and Hunter. Think 2008 Texas Tech, but with a running back!

6-OHIO STATE

Terrelle Pryor is the truth and Boom and Zoom will replace Beanie Wells just fine and the depth and speed at WR is just sick!

7-OLE MISS

Jevan Snead is considered the best NFL QB prospect and he did beat UF last year!

8-VA TECH

I'm on the Tyrod Taylor bandwagon for now and Evans was solid...

9-PENN STATE

If they can fill the holes at O-line and WR, Clark and Royster should do the rest.

10-LSU

Jordan Jefferson should be a capable QB for now and Charles Scott will be the best back in the SEC.

11-CAL

Kevin Riley looks to provide the Golden Bears with some stability at QB. It won't hurt him that he has the nation's top returing RB, Jahvid Best, to hand the ball to.

12-OREGON

The tandem of QB Jeremiah Masoli and RB LeGarrette Blount should make a formidable one-two punch for Pac-10 opponents this season.

13-ALABAMA

The Tide lost several starters, but they've also been recruiting very well and say what you will about Saban, but the guy can coach!

14-GA TECH

Paul Johnson is also a heck of a coach and the triple option seems to be his great equalizer against top notch opponents.

15-BOISE STATE

Kellen Moore was great a season ago as a freshman and BSU could play BCS buster once again if they survive against Oregon.

16-TCU

Defense, defense , defense. Plus, they return starters quarterback Andy Dalton and running back Joseph Turner. If not Boise, then TCU!

17-IOWA

RB Shonn Greene is gone but Jewel Hampton is ready to step in and QB Ricky Stanzi has been getting some hype so I'll conform for now until I can see if he can play or not.

18-NOTRE DAME

It's do or die time for Charlie Weis and Jimmy Clausen. All the highly touted recruiting classes and returning starters make this season make or break. With their easy schedule, anything less than nine or ten wins and it's "Sorry Charlie".

19-N. CAROLINA

Sorry Browns fans, Butch Davis can coach....just not in the NFL. He can recruit too. The 2009 class of 29 players was ranked No. 9 by Rivals & No. 6 by Scouts Inc.

20-NEBRASKA

The Huskers lose their QB and top receivers but year two under Bo Pelini could still be better than year one if RB Roy Helu Jr. is more consistent and new and very mobile QB Zac Lee doesn't make costly mistakes on the fly.

21-CINCINNATI

Brian Kelly wins wherever he goes. That's the bottom line. I mean, he led his team to an 11-3 season last year with the 5th string QB so give the man and his team their due!

22-BYU

QB Max Hall returns to a Cougar team that does has holes to fill. There's likely no BCS game in their future as they open at Oklahoma but 10 wins and a solid season isn't impossible.

23-OREGON STATE

I'm a huge fan of JaQuizz Rodgers after seeing him tear up USC last season. I'm going to ride this pony again until it bucks me off!

24-KANSAS

Todd Reesing is back and so is top WR Dezmon Briscoe. I don't see the Jayhawks winning the Big 12 but they could make it to the title game....or not.

25-BOSTON COLLEGE

The Eagles return starters WR Rich Gunnell and RB Montel Harris in addition to QB Dominique Davis. When starter Chris Crane was injured, he played good enough to help BC beat Wake Forest and Maryland down the stretch before flopping in the ACC title game vs. Va Tech.


That's it, that's the short and sweet of it.

I know I'm pretty much dead on and all (sarcasm), but let's hear what you all think anyway!

This article is also featured on

CLICK HERE to return to the Blog.BlockONation.com Front Page