auburn_tigers_bo_jackson_alabama-crimson-tide-iron-bowlIf Auburn’s 5-0 start had panned out, the Iron Bowl would be more epic than it has been in years. If Dez Bryant hadn’t had lunch with Deion and Sam Bradford hadn’t felt the wrath of a poor offensive line, Bedlam would have close to a dozen NFL players on the field (McCoy, Bradford, Bryant, Williams, Okung, etc). If Mike Sherman wasn’t a closeted homo, Texas A&M vs. Texas would likely be a bit more relevant. Stanford vs. ND woulda been fun too if Charlie Weis had a clue how to coach. There’s even a case for Illinois vs. Cincinnati as a coulda-been-good game. Unfortunately, none of ‘em really are.

This is how we’ll do this: we’ll start with a caveat, that being — this is one of the biggest reaches ever put on this site (um), because the final day to declare for the NFL Draft isn’t until mid-January. If Jimmy Clausen comes back with a Brian Kelly or Bob Stoops at the helm (and the receivers return), if Jake Locker comes back to an improving Washington program, if the PSU D decides to return en masse … well, in all likelihood none of those things would matter, as ND would go 7-5, Washington 6-6 (8-4 at best) and PSU 9-3, 10-2 at best. But, the point is: We don’t know enough for this to mean anything. It’s an exercise in fun, not in reality. Kinda like hitting on your sister’s friend in high school, joo know?

We’re going to pick five (5) teams to watch for 2010. This is not necessarily a top five; it’s just a list of five squads to think about. Ready? Let’s dance.

Boise State Broncos: You honestly need to start the discussion here. Why? Simple. Ever heard of “fate?” This is what will happen: BSU will get boned out of a BCS game this year. Next year, they’ll return over 18 starters — basically everyone except CB Kyle Wilson — get a top-five preseason ranking, and if — this is big if — they beat Virginia Tech on September 4, they have a legitimate shot to make the BCS title game next year. Voters, and America as a whole (”Sports Nation!”) will feel bad about what happened in 2009. Smurf Turf for life.

Also, how good a first two weekends of CFB 2010 is it next year? Boise vs. Virginia Tech, and then Miami vs. Ohio State the very next week? Take it, Chris Tucker, friend of Donald Sterling that you are…

Oregon Ducks : Freshman sensation LaMichael James will return, and so should Masoli. Here’s the problem: they play at USC (Carroll will have been thinking about that game for close to a year when it happens) and on the same day as OSU/Miami, they play at Tennessee, which Oregon should win, but could very easily lose. The talent is good — return almost everyone, although TE Ed Dickson is a huge cog in the machine and he’ll be gone, likely to mire in obscurity running six-year out-routes for Tampa Bay — but those two games could seriously sink ‘em in terms of any type of national picture.

Wisconsin Badgers : Tolzien and Clay come back. The majority of the defense will too. They get OSU — a possible top-3 preseason team — to come to Madison. They visit Michigan, which might be a difficult by late 2010 (but probably won’t be). They also visit Iowa. That game could decide the Big Ten for 2010. Wisco needs to shake the permeating notion in both of their money sports — football and hoops — that they’re always one of those teams you keep your eye on, but never really take seriously at the end of the day. I love Bo Ryan’s basketball teams. I love Bielama’s football teams. I never expect them to take the next step, though. I do, however, always enjoy this:

Arkansas Razorbacks : Been talking this up for about 15 months. I heard this story once, can’t really confirm it because I don’t know Lloyd Carr personally. Carr apparently made Ryan Mallett the only QB he personally recruited — like flew to Texas on Friday nights, flew back to Ann Arbor on Saturdays — in years, possibly since Griese, Brady, etc. He was that impressed. This dude has a cannon. Now, granted, their defense isn’t anything to salivate over, but their toughest test is probably Bama, which is AT HOME, in September (Bama loses everyone big on D, and will be still learning to win then) … just saying, speaking of “stories people love,” how about “Benedict Arnold made good.” Also, did you know John L. Smith is their special teams coach? Whoa now:

Florida State Seminoles: Do I think they can do a lot? No. The two best teams in the ACC should be Duke — er, Miami and Virginia Tech. (Back to the old days!) But E.J. Manuel and Christian Ponder could be a curious combo. Bowden’s last year (?) could be an interesting situation. Mickey Andrews out of the picture, and maybe the D gets new life? If this team came out of nowhere and went 9-3, 10-2, I’m just saying it wouldn’t completely surprise me. I mean, c’mon, he’s already graduated, friends: