Sure, it's more than four months away, but it's never too early to start spouting matchups for this year's national title game. Florida, Oregon State and Miami have been showered with preseason praise, but will those lofty expectations be met on the girdiron? Could a Big 12 power like Nebraska or Texas waltz into Pasadena in January? Does Oklahoma stand a chance of repeating?
Here are your prediction's for the 2001 National Championship:
Vols will sneak into Rose Bowl
Tennessee will defeat Oregon in the Rose Bowl. The Vols went 8-4 in a rebuilding year, and it is time for Florida to stumble because no one expects it. Road wins will be the key to Tennessee's success (Arkansas, Florida, Alabama, Notre Dame). A home win against LSU would enhance a trip to Pasadena. After that game, Notre Dame would be the only obstacle. Go Big Orange.
John Rowell
Garden Grove, Calif.
Tech will shock 'Noles, ramble on to title game
Georgia Tech has an excellent chance to run the table this year. They have more talent than people think, and Florida State is inexperienced and has a ton of injuries. The two teams meet in the third game of the season. And Clemson is overrated and will lose to both schools.
Chris Lenfest
Dallas
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Miami defense + balanced offense + the old Miami swagger = 2001 National Title. ” |
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— Roderick Woods, Richmond, Ky. |
Swamp success will fuel Gators
I think Florida is going to win it all this year because of the amount of talent returning from last year's team. Coach Steve Spurrier has done things this preseason he hasn't done before to improve a team that is already championship caliber. I also think the Gators schedule is very favorable to run the table. They host UT, FSU, and MSU at the swamp.
Daniel Coen
Fallon, Nev.
Crouch will carry Big Red to promised land
I was born and raised in Nebraska and, I admit, I have a sickness. The symptoms usually start to show around this time of year. All reality, rationality and objectivity are lost and I become blinded by my Husker heritage and make ludicrous predictions. I've bet on Nebraska and given 60 points to Notre Dame. I've guaranteed 2000-yard rushing seasons for the starting QB. But this year, I'm trying to me more realistic and less biased. That is why I can say, objectively and categorically, the Huskers will win the national championship. I know they have holes in their offensive line. There are questions at tailback. Half the team is sitting out the season on assault charges. So why, you may ask, will they win the championship? Because of one scary quick senior option quarterback named Eric Crouch. Most analysts list him as a favorite to win the Heisman. Most say he's the best player in the Big 12. But you know what, he's still underrated. That's right. I said it. UNDERRATED. The guy will demolish every expectation this year. The guy is gonna blow by competitors faster than a junked-up Ben Johnson blew by Carl Lewis in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He's gonna score more often that Patrick Ewing at the Gold Club. So get ready, history will be made against Florida in the Rose Bowl this year. Remember 1996? Fiesta Bowl? 62-24? That's only gonna be halftime.
Stephen Schenck
Austin, Texas
Hurricane warning for Pasadena
I think that the Miami Hurricanes will win it all by defeating Florida Gators in the Rose Bowl. My reason is that Miami has great balance of run and pass, but most importantly,its defense plays with a tremendous intensity that reminds me of some of the great teams of the teams of the late 80's and early 90's. I also think that Daryl Williams will step up big time this year and the youngsters will follow right behind him. Ken Dorsey will lead us right to the promised land. Miami defense + balanced offense + the old Miami swagger = 2001 National Title.
Roderick Woods
Richmond, Ky.
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The guy is gonna blow by competitors faster than a junked-up Ben Johnson blew by Carl Lewis in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. He's gonna score more often that Patrick Ewing at the Gold Club. ” |
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— Stephen Schenck, Austin, Texas |
Champs cannot be overlooked
Oklahoma is still a contender. The Sooners defense will still be tops in the country. The new quarterback is more athletic than Josh Heupel. He will make a few mistakes early, but the team will carry him. Oklahoma will beat Texas, again. And much like last year, no one will believe the Sooners can win it all until they're playing in the Rose Bowl. I only hope we get to play Miami and shut them up once and for all.
Larry Grubbs
Denver
Sooners, Gators are destined to meet for title
Bob Stoops and Co. have the best coaching staff and the most talented players in the country. Despite all the predictions, OU will defeat an overrated Texas club in Dallas and then beat Nebraska in the Big 12 title game. Steve Spurrier's Florida Gators will run through the SEC with either Brock Berlin or Rex Grossman calling the plays. The Sooners will become the first team with a "triple-double" of national titles, beating the Gators in Visor Bowl I, 24-17.
Dale Selby
Dallas
When dust settles, Horns will triumph
To me, college football looks so balanced this year that I think it will come down to schedules. Thinking along that line, I go with Texas because they would only have four major challenges: Oklahoma, Texas A&M, the Big 12 title game and the Rose Bowl. Even with the quarterback controversy they have, it's a nice one to have. They have the raw talent in Chris Simms and they have a guy who is a winner in Major Applewhite. I think Miami just can't do it with a new coach and Florida's quarterbacks always have one horrible game. Nebraska finds a way to lose a game, Florida State doesn't have the experienced talent, and the Pac-10 will beat up on each other. I think that will allow Texas to come through.
Martin Lavelle
Oxford, Ohio
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The Sooners will become the first team with a "triple-double" of national titles, beating the Gators in Visor Bowl I, 24-17. ” |
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— Dale Selby, Dallas |
Gators will live up to hype
I think Florida is the odds-on favorite to win the Rose Bowl. With 18 returning starters back from a 10-3 squad that was the
youngest in the SEC, Gators head coach Steve Spurrier seems to have all the necessary ingredients to deliver Florida it's second national
championship and first 13-0 season. The Gators' schedule, despite including eight bowl teams, is favorable because the toughest games are played in the friendly confines of The Swamp, where the Gators are an impressive 63-4 under Spurrier. If the Gators can avoid a let down on the road at LSU, there's no reason to think that they won't be sitting at 12-0 in Pasadena.
Scott Phelan
Orlando, Fla.
Canes are men among boys
Is there any doubt Miami will win the Rose Bowl? Miami has more depth than some NFL squads! It's possible that every starter for Miami in 2002 will end up in the NFL.
Corey West
Charlotte, N.C.
