Today marks the start of the 2011-2012 NCAA football season…and if it’s going to be anything like last year, then expect fireworks.
It is clearly the best time of the year! So, get ready to buckle down in front of your TV for the next five months.
Of course in Indiana, it’s an exciting time with the three football teams in the state: Notre Dame, IU, and Purdue.
Dayne Crist hopes to lead Notre Dame back to a BCS bowl game.
Let’s take a quick look at the three of them:
- Notre Dame: Every year we see this team ranked up in the top 25 heading into the season, and they are not there near the end. I think it’s going to be different this year. The Irish schedule is not too bad. If the team can somehow be at least 2-2 after it’s first four games, then it could roll right on through (with the exception of Stanford or USC). With that being said, the team WILL finish with only 3 losses. The Fightin’ Irish are going in the right direction.
- IU: Sorry IU fans, but this year will be a tough one for you. Sure, the schedule at the start of the year is cake, but once the Big Ten starts, wins will be few and far between. So, the team has two goals this year (besides playing): Find a legitimate QB and change the culture with Kevin Wilson. But no worries…Wilson WILL turn this program around.
- Purdue: Injuries are healed and QB Robert Marve and RB Ralph Bolden are back. But, it will be difficult for them to win this year just because of their schedule. The team has an outside chance at 7-8 wins, but would need to pull off a couple of massive upsets. With that being said, I’m thinking around 5 wins. At least for Coach Danny Hope, he is hoping the upsets take place. His job MAY be on the line.
So, the theme for all these teams this year is to just improve and build for the future. There is no question they all can!
And of course, no NCAA football preview blog post would be good without a couple predictions.
Big Ten Champion: NEBRASKA
BCS Title Game: Oklahoma vs. Boise State (OU wins)