College Football: 2009 Preview

It is a massive campaign, breaking down the conferences to see who stand the best chance to upset the Florida Gator’s bid to repeat as national champions. So in and around other news from the worlds of sport and cinema, we’ll take a look over the next couple of weeks at the very best and what they offer that just might allow them to vie for the BCS crown.

But first…… a tv timeout-

College Football on Television….Saturday Afternoons and Beyond

Pageantry, tradition, youthful exuberance, attractive settings, historic rivalries, of course television loves college football.

Here are some links for the armchair generals planning their campaigns.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/3661108/ns/sports-college_football/

http://www.lsufootball.net/tvschedule.htm

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3901962

http://cfn.scout.com/2/557860.html

http://www.gridirongold.com/college-football-tv-schedule.htm

http://www.cbssports.com/cbscollegesports 

SEC

http://secsports.com/index.php?s=&url_channel_id=2&change_well_id=1

Florida

 http://www.gatorzone.com/football/

It really begins with Urban Meyer’s Gators who are the deepest defending champion squad since the 2005 USC Trojans who nearly repeated only to lose to Texas in that classic game in the Rose Bowl.

Florida is led by Heisman-winning QB Tim Tebow and have 18 starters returning including all 11 on defense. Look out. Enough said.

Ole Miss

http://www.olemisssports.com/SportSelect.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=2600&SPID=737

With huge wins over Florida and Texas Tech last year, have to be given a lot of attention and it is not inconceivable they could win their first SEC title since 1963 with a strong offense led by Jevan Snead and receiver Dexter McCluster.  Defense will be the true test as stalwarts safety Jamarca Sanford and tackle Peria Jerry left for the NFL.

Alabama

http://www.rolltide.com/

Coach Nick Saban enters his third year directing the Tide. The defense will have to step up as the other side of the ball is very young. A first year starter at quarterback, Greg McElroy, will be without the protective services of Outland Trophy-winner Andre Smith and All-SEC center Antoine Caldwell. Holding down opposing offenses will be easier with the talent of linebacker Rolando McClain, cover man Javier Arenas and monster lineman Terrence Cody- all 6’5″ 354 pounds of him.

LSU

http://www.lsusports.net/SportSelect.dbml?SPID=2164

Les Miles has a good balance of starters returning (7 offense, 6 defense) but if they are going anywhere they have got to shore up the D. Allowing over 30 points on five occasions and surrendering a gaping 352+ yards, the Tigers will hope moving Chad Jones, a reserve outfielder and reliever on the LSU national championship baseball squad, to start at free safety will stop the bleeding.

Georgia

http://www.georgiadogs.com/

The Bulldogs will be tested right away when fifth year senior quarterback Joe Cox, who has played only one game, will have to travel to Stillwater and take on Oklahoma State.

From all reports he’s been a good understudy to the high-powered offense from the NFL’s first draft pick, Matthew Stafford.

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