Phil arrived last week. He says whatup to you BWS, lol. Couple notes at first glance:
- As expected on the power poll for the SEC, Bama/LSU/Tenn way up (and obligatory LSU QB questions) and he likes Miss more than me at #10...but the kicker i was expecting is a very strong and a very top heavy mid section w 6 other teams in his top 35 (miss st #35). it will be a very rocky road to the top of that heap this year.
- FSU #2 in his Power poll, I was very curious where he had them since and I wasn't far off... the talent is there spread's 6 against Miss is telling. 6 is prob too much to feel great about on week 1 but feeling this FSU team this year if Cookie can stay healthy. 15-1 NC odds feels like a pretty good value given they get Clem at home... they can also recover from a wk 1 Miss loss.
- Arkey state joins the Non-P5 elite at power poll#60, quite a few people had mentioned them already, good eyes folks.
- Tennessee schedule has a rocky stint at first VT neutral site (bristol wish i was going) then 4 tough games (2 SEC West) but a real breeze after. even a drop to @ A&M or an L at home w bama they'll still be in the driver seat for a playoff. Toughest road game is UGA but its sandwiched between 3 SEC road games for the dawgs. Dobbs time to step it up man. 16-1 NC odds look pretty darn good w Ole Miss getting 14-1 or an LSU at 12-1. Feels like some value.
- How is UNC going to stop a UGA rush assault week 1, phil is giving them a bump up on their DL but LB's step down. I'll tell you this it could get really nasty if Kirby's D which is supremely loaded with talent (albeit less experienced) can slow hood down a bit especially if UNC goes one dimensional w their new QB... Chubb likely not back for the opener per the news and maybe I reconsider a UGA 3 pt lean because Michel while good was not a missing link for that team LY they also were one dimensional and that was a prob .. but for now laying 3 points against UNC in atlanta is my lean... note UNC/SC had many many tickets available for the opener in charlotte last year, should be a domed UGA home game, nothing neutral about it. I'll also add those SC/UNC openers last few years, very unimpressed how fedora had them look out the gates also noted UNC 0-4 ATS in first game as dogs in last 4 years since Fedora took over, not a good look.
- 9 ret. starters on UCLA D that was totally marred LY..non-starters LY are Vanderdoes, guess he didn't qualify as a ret st. but he was forrrreal LY when healthy. Fresh LB the other expected piece, #2PS... could be worse. A&M D 7 ret sts gets a bump up from LY and their non-starters are Daylon Mack Truck and priest willis (ex-ucla, AZ HS player I had a chance to follow him a bit, big CB thought he would be a safety excited to see what he can do) i can envision the week 1 offensive star power might set a trap on the O/U when that comes out with Rosen/Knight/A&M WR's being the story line... note UCLA 0-3-1 against the best D's on their schedule LY, albeit mostly big totals, A&M questions are the OL and rush still...LY the trend was clear, bad rush day = not covering and generally low total points.
- Phil giving Wash mad love, must have seen their bowl game.
- BC and ASU on the most improved teams list, LOL, don't tease me like that Phil, I'll believe it when I see it.
Good luck all!