Well here it is, my projected AP Top 10 for next year as of January 30, 2012! I will mention it now and I will mention it numerous times throughout today’s blog but this is not MY preseason Top 10 for next year, it is where I project the AP Top 10 to come out at the start of the season.
Most AP voters usually look at a couple of criteria when they evaluate a team for the upcoming season. First they look at the number of returning starters that the team has coming back particularly at the offensive skill positions. A team that returns its starting QB and a combination of its RB and WR’s is often times more highly thought of than a team that loses its starting QB but returns its entire offensive line. Similarly a team that returns most of its starters on offense but loses a lot of its defensive playmakers usually is more highly thought of than a team that returns a majority of its defensive starters but loses its skill position players on offense.
Another factor that is heavily weighted is the performance of the team in the bowl game, which undoubtedly is the lasting image of that team in the offseason. A team coming off a huge bowl win usually is more highly thought of than a team that is coming off a bowl loss regardless of what their schedule looks like for the upcoming season. Read more…
Categories: Offseason Notes, Phil Steele News Tags: 2012, Alabama, AP Top 10, Arkansas, blog, college football, Florida St, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Oregon, phil steele, Projection, South Carolina, USC, West Virginia
Well here it is, my projected AP Top 10 for next year as of February 11, 2011! I will mention it now and I will mention it numerous times throughout today’s blog but this is not MY preseason Top 10 for next year, it is where I project the AP Top 10 to come out at the start of the season.
Most AP voters usually look at a couple of criteria when they evaluate a team for the upcoming season. First they look at the number of returning starters that the team has coming back particularly at the offensive skill positions. A team that returns its starting QB and a combination of its RB and WRs is often times more highly thought of than a team that loses its starting QB but returns its entire offensive line. Similarly a team that returns most of its starters on offense but loses a lot of its defensive playmakers usually is more highly thought of than a team that returns a majority of its defensive starters but loses its skill position players on offense.
Another factor that is heavily weighted is the performance of the team in the bowl game, which undoubtedly is the lasting image of that team in the offseason. A team coming off a huge bowl win usually is more highly thought of than a team that is coming off a bowl loss regardless of what their schedule looks like for the upcoming season.
Using these criteria and a few more, I project the preseason AP Top 10 every year at the conclusion of the previous season, which in most cases is nearly 6 months in advance. Now as you all know, a lot can happen from January to August including injuries, suspensions, transfers, etc. Read more…
Categories: Offseason Notes Tags: Alabama, AP, AP Top 10 Projection, Arkansas, blog, Boise St, college football, Florida St, LSU, Nebraska, Ohio St, Oklahoma, Oklahoma St, Oregon, phil steele, South Carolina, Stanford, Texas A&M, Top 10, wisconsin
The AP Poll was released over the weekend and today I can officially come up with Overrated and Underrated teams for the upcoming year.
First, here is the Preseason AP Top 25. Read more…
Categories: Offseason Notes Tags: ap poll, Arizona, Auburn, blog, college football, Georgia Tech, Houston, LSU, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Overrated, phil steele, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Texas, Underrated, wisconsin
First of all, I want to wish you and your families a very happy and safe Memorial Day Weekend! Since many of you will be away from your computers this weekend, today’s blog will be posted until Tuesday June 1st. If you do want to get your hands on my 2010 College Football Preview before it officially hits the newsstands on June 8th, you can order it anytime this weekend thru our offices by calling 1-866-918-7711 or just visit the PhilSteele.com store.
In case you missed it yesterday I was on ESPN College Football Live breaking down my Top 25 with Host Eric Kuselias and specifically my surprise #1 pick. It is a short segment but if you get chance, check it out here. Read more…
In today’s blog, I will finish releasing my Preseason All-Conference Teams with the All-SEC and All-SBC Teams.
In the SEC, Defending National Champion Alabama leads the way with six 1st Team selections led by last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram who rushed for 1,658 yds (6.1) with 17 TD’s. Read more…
Categories: Phil Steele News Tags: AJ Green, Alabama, All Conference, Arkansas, Auburn, college football, florida, Georgia, Kentucky, LSU, Mark Ingram, Middle Tennessee, Mississippi St, phil steele, Ryan Mallett, SEC, South Carolina, sun belt, Tennessee, Troy, TY Hilton, Vanderbilt
Each day during bowl season in my daily blog, I will give you my forecasts on the bowl games taking place that day. My forecasts will include a detailed write-up with my computer’s projected box score including rushing and passing yards, points and turnovers along with a detailed write-up on each game.
Also check out the bowl matchup section to get the latest and greatest information on all the upcoming bowl games including, game by game stats, 2009 recaps, and checklists for every position and intangible.
Yesterday I had a 5-0 day in my forecasts including three outright upsets! I picked Florida to win big over Cincinnati as they had a 659-246 yard edge and I called for Auburn to win by 3 in the Outback Bowl! I hope to have another great day with today’s forecasts on the five games. Read more…
Categories: College Bowl Notes Tags: Alamo, Arkansas, bowl, bowl conference standings, bowl contest, college football, confidence, Connecticut, Cotton, East Carolina, Forecasts, International, Liberty, Michigan St, Mississippi, Northern Illinois, Oklahoma St, Papa Johns, phil steele, South Carolina, Texas Tech, USF
