20. TCU: Gary Patterson is one of the winningest coaches in the FBS, 116 -36, there is a 76% chance when Patterson’s teams line up, that they will win that game. Last year they entered the Big 12 and were a mediocre 7-6, Patterson’s critics were all over this, saying “they stepped up to the big time and got stepped on” … Ok, they struggled…. with a young defense and they lose their QB, Casey Pachall, early in the season. This year they have 16 starters back, including their QB. Thier schedule is tuff, as they do have to play both Oklanoma schools on the road and LSU at Arlington to start the season. Look for the Horned Frogs to open some eyes as they knock off the Tigers of LSU in their opener!
19. Boise State: If TCU’s Gary Patterson is one of the winningest coaches in the FBS, Chris Petersen is the winningest, with a 84-8 record at Boise the past 8 years. Coach Petersen has won an amazing 92% of his games! That said, I believe Boise is ranked this year on past accomplishments, not current circumstances; they have only 9 statrers coming back, 5 on offense & 4 on defense. They open their season at Washington, a team they survived in last year’s Las Vegas Bowl, 28-26. Look for them to stumble early @ Washington & at Fresno State.
18. Nebraska: Bo Pelini is 49-20 in 6 years at Nebraska, last year the Huskers were a solid 10-4. That said, some of their losses were head turners, most notably, the 70 to 31 tail whipping the Badgers put on them in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Huskers have a big game at home, on September, 14th, vs UCLA; a win here at the Cornhuskers could be headed to a top 10 ranking …. based more on their schedule than the talent on their roster. The Bruin game is their only real challenge, until November 2nd when they face Northwestern in Evanston. In fact, November is the month we will find out how good Nebraska is, as after their Wildcat hunt on the 2nd, they play @ Michigan & Penn State and battle Michigan State & Iowa @ home.
17. Michigan: Brady Hoke is 19-7 @ Michigan as he enters his 3rd year. Their schedule is difficult, the Wolverines play two teams from a year ago that were a combined 24-0, in the regular season, Notre Dame & Ohio State. They also have to play at Michigan State & Northwestern, with Nebraska sandwiched between the Spartans & Wildcats. Like the Cornhuskers, the Wolverines could get into the top 10, if they beat ND at home on Sept. 7, and then comes November & Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, @ Iowa & Ohio State! The Wolves must beat the Irish in September and then play well in November against the toughest part of their schedule to advance their current ranking. LB, Jake Ryan will be missed (ACL in Spring Game)
16. Oklahoma: Bob Stoops is an impressive 149-37 @ Oklahoma as he enters his 15th year. In the last 10 years, Stoops’ teams have won in the double digets 8 times and have never won less than 8 games in any of those years (2003 through 2012). If they are to move into the top 10, they must beat Notre Dame in South Bend on 9/28/13, and then find at way the next two weeks, at home vs TCU & then take care of business in the Cotton Bowl vs Texas! The Key to the Sonners season is between 9/28 & 10/12. Win those three and the Sonners are on their way to a top 5 ranking!
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