The OFFICIAL 2017 College Football Talking Smack Thread!

[Sonnie]

Yes... I said it's the "OFFICIAL" 2017 College Football Talking Smack Thread!

What a crazy couple of years we have had in college football. How about the Tide traces all over the place... lovin' it. I was super excited for Dabo and the Tigers... the 2016 National Champions... congratulations to all the Clemson fans out there. While I naturally would have liked to have seen Bama win, if anyone was going to beat us, I am glad it was Dabo and his boys.

I told my wife and several others at the beginning of last season with us having a new QB that I thought we would be lucky to win 9-10 games... and wow... the Tide surprised me AGAIN! It's just amazing how Saban is able to reload like he does.

So... I don't have any idea about this year. We have Jalen Hurts returning, who was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year and the SEC Freshman of the Year. It's hard to believe he took us the championship game. The we have the new guy... Tua Tagovailoa, the five star QB from Hawaii, who is supposed to give Jalen some competition for the starting job. Could be interesting. And then there is Mac Jones, the four start QB from Jacksonville, FL. Who knows what will happen.

Then... THEN... whoa Nellie!!! We are crankin' it off with a GRANDelicious opening battle this year with the Seminoles of Florida State. WHAT? Are we crazy? USC was scary enough... and don't think for one minute if they had started the right QB that Bama would have trounced them like they did. Now we have to go and play a team that there is NO doubt has the ability to beat us. Glad it's early in the year.

I can't wait... wish it were here. Spring football has got me going already. Our Spring game is this weekend (4/22) while we will be in Chicago, so I'll have to record it and watch it when I get back.

Alrighty... bring on the SMACK! Let's see whatcha got!

 

[Leonard Caillouet]

 

[Sonnie]

Recorded the Tide's A-Day game from Saturday and wow... our two young QB's were slinging it like crazy. It was pretty much all passing. Jalen looked a LOT better throwing the deep ball... he was dead on every pass. This was his weak spot last year, despite being SEC player of the year. I have a funny feeling that Tagovailoa will end up transferring. I just can't see him sitting on the bench. He'll make someone a GREAT QB.

 

[Leonard Caillouet]

Given the history, I don't have much to justify smack on the Tide, but LSU is looking pretty strong again on defense. If we can get a QB to perform, look out.

 

[Tonto]

FSU didn't get the recruiting class I was hoping for, but still some good players. We have a lot to replace this year on defense, and Cooks gone to the NFL. So our season is pretty much up in the air. Our quarter back should be solid. Can't believe the punishment that guy can take! He is all man as far as that is concerned. Our spring game didn't impress me so much this year. But I like us playing in the big games, and they don't get any bigger than Bama & Saban! More to come.

 

[Sonnie]

I can tell you I have never feared an opening game like I do this year. Last year I was just somewhat concerned about USC... fortunately they did not start the better QB, and we got off to a good start against them. This year... FSU has the QB and they will be much better prepared for the Tide than USC was... Jimbo is a GREAT couch and while he may not have the track record Saban has, he will eventually have it and folks will be talking about him like they do Saban.

 

[JBrax]

Sonnie, curious what your opinion is of the Chiefs trading up in the draft and taking Mahomes over Watson? Opinion by fans here is pretty much split 50/50 between who projects better in the NFL. I personally love the upside of Mahomes and think Andy Reid is the perfect coach to groom him. Having said that I think Watson has "it" and seems to elevate his game in the biggest moments. At the end of the day I trust Reid and the scouts have done their homework and chose who they feel fits best.

 

[Sonnie]

That's a tough one... although I think I would have chosen Watson. I just think he is that good both passing and scrambling. But that's why I'm not recruiting or coaching either. lol What do I know. I don't keep up with NFL that much really. I rarely follow the draft.

 

[Leonard Caillouet]

It really is hard to predict who will be better in the NFL. It depends so much on the team they end up with, the system, the coaching, and above all of that the individual. When it is a close call I think you have to trust your coaching staff to get the right fit.

 

[JBrax]

I definitely trust our coaching staff and that's what made the pick controversial. Most of us and that includes the local media thought if the Chiefs trade up Watson would be their man. There was a lot of smoke and mirrors with the info being put out. It will be interesting to follow both of their careers. I personally think both QB's will have success but we'll see.

 

[Tonto]

The Smack is starting in the press already. Nice wright up in the Democrat this morning. Some interesting stats:
1) Both Alabama & Florida State are expected to the be ranked in the top 5. There is talk that they may be the #1 & #2 teams to start the coming year...never has the 1 & 2 ranked teams opened the College Football Season!
2) Bama holds the all time lead with a 2-1-1 record.
3) FSU won the last game 21-14 in 2007 (only game played in the last 40 years).
4) The game will be played @ the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on September 2 @ 8PM. ESPN will be broadcasting the game in prime time. Will be one of the most watched games in College Football History!

I'm getting tingly all over! We should plan a get together for the game. Man do I love College Football!

 

[Sonnie]

I can't even begin to imagine how exciting it will be to WHOOP UP ON someone this year I hope.

Yeah... this is going to be a game that could easily decide who'll be in the running for the Nat'l champion... especially if either team has a second loss. If both win out, then we could see them in the final 4 again. How crazy would that be.

 

[JBrax]

How bout them Missouri Tigers getting the #1 recruit in the nation? Oh wait…that was basketball.

 

[Sonnie]

Hey... they've been there in football a few years back. They could do it again.

 

[JBrax]

Yeah, anything could happen but I like my chances of finding a unicorn first.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Terps landed one of the best Pro style QBs coming out of high school this year. Hopefully the new coach (DJ Durkin... former D-coordinator from Michigan) and build on some of the positives he brought to MD last year.

MD football remains a tough sell to the greater Balt/Washington Metro area... just too many sports teams demanding fans' money: Orioles, Nationals, Wizards, Capitals, DC United, Ravens, and Redskins all play in roughly a 37 miles radius. Toss Maryland Basketball into the mix (which is way more popular and successful), and MD Football has a huge hill to climb in terms of luring $$ out of wallets.

 

[Tonto]

Wow, 7 more weeks....I can't hardly stand it!!!

 

[Sonnie]

They are hyping the Bama vs. Noles game big time during these media days. Most are saying it will be the first of two games between the two, and the first one may very well be #1 vs #2... then they'll play again in the playoffs. Crazy stuff... but certainly not beyond the realm of possibility.

 

[tripplej]

Alabama is again No. 1 in the preseason 2017 Amway Coaches Poll

1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Florida State
4. Southern California
5. Clemson
6. Penn State
7. Washington
8. Oklahoma
9. Michigan
10. Wisconsin
11. Oklahoma State
12. Louisiana State
13. Auburn
14. Stanford
15. Georgia
16. Florida
17. Louisville
18. Miami
19. Kansas State
20. West Virginia
21. South Florida
22. Virginia Tech
23. Texas
24. Tennessee
25. Utah

 

[Sonnie]

I was sure hoping Bama and FSU would be #1 and #2. Maybe in the AP poll.

I am somewhat surprised that the coaches have enough faith in Bama to just keep rolling. Not being negative intentionally, but it reasons that we should have a year with a couple-three upsets ... and considering losing the guys we lost of defense this past year.

 

[tripplej]

Well, it is preseason..

Let's see how it goes once the games start.

 

[Tonto]

Same with us, lost a lot of star players, now some freshman lineman on offense & several newbies on defense! Sure they have talent, but can they produce when it counts. You just don't know until game time.

 

[Todd Anderson]

That's a powerhouse list right there... wow.

TEXAS... what happened to that program??

 

[tripplej]

Texas has a new head coach -- Tom Herman. He was great at the University of Houston..
Texas has a struggling defense so it will be interesting to see how the 2017 season will go.

Speaking of Texas, they have a new locker room setup for their team this year.

Wow..

 

[tripplej]

The preseason 2017 AP Top 25 poll


from si,

"1. Alabama
2. Ohio State
3. Florida State
4. USC
5. Clemson
6. Penn State
7. Oklahoma
8. Washington
9. Wisconsin
10. Oklahoma State
11. Michigan
12. Auburn
13. LSU
14. Stanford
15. Georgia
16. Louisville
17. Florida
18. Miami (Fla.)
19. South Florida
20. Kansas State
21. Virginia Tech
22. West Virginia
23. Texas
24. Washington State
25. Tennessee"