Brad’s 2010 Predictions for the Independents
Posted by deaconcat08 on July 16, 2010
Don’t really have a good place to put my blog entry for the Independents, so I thought a logical place would be sandwiched between the BCS and non-BCS conferences. The number to the left of each team name is their predicted conference ranking with the conference champion displayed in all caps. The number in parentheses to the right of each team name is their predicted rank nationally. Also, after my written analysis for each team, I have provided my prediction of where each team will end up spending their postseason. Furthermore, I have underlined my ten surprise picks and italicized my ten disappointment picks. Separate entries for my surprise and disappointment picks will be posted later on, which will compare my preseason predictions with the average of the (allegedly) expert predictions from Athlon, the Sporting News, and Phil Steele.
1. Notre Dame (29)- Charlie Weis’ squads annually disappointed with last year’s team being by far the worse. Phil Steele loves to brag about his bad picks but he shoves his horrible ones under the rug by not mentioning then in his magazine. Well, for the record, he had the Irish finishing 7th in the country last year when they ended up at 66. A team that finished that low the year before and loses its two star players is hardly ever predicted to finish in the top 30. However, I think last year’s issues largely stemmed from internal dissension that will be resolved under Kelly’s structure and unity. (Postseason Prediction: Meineke Car Care Bowl vs. Clemson)
2. Navy (32)- This squad really puzzles me because I feel like they have the talent level to finish between 40th and 50th in the country with one of their typical 8-4 seasons accompanied by a trip to their preset bowl tie-in. However, their schedule this year is so jaw-droppingly easy that the Middies may be favored in every single game except against Notre Dame, which will still be very winnable. Could an undefeated Navy squad sneak into the BCS even with a cupcake schedule? It seems like it would be unpatriotic not to do give them a BCS invite, but keep in mind that the BCS is an anti-American terrorist organization that has previously committed much greater injustices than this. (Postseason Prediction: Poinsettia Bowl vs. San Diego State)
3. Army (72)- This program has made significant progress over the past few years, but unfortunately, no one has really noticed because they don’t have a conference in which they can ascend. The major goals here are to make a bowl game and beat Navy, which they just haven’t quite been able to do. Not sure either of those things happen this year, as I have this team finishing about 5-7, just like last season. (Postseason Prediction: No Bowl)