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College Football 2011: Sleepers And Busts 22

Posted on September 08, 2011 by Teddy Bailey

Maryland, Illinois and Arizona State Are My Top 3 Sleepers For This Year's College Football Season.

Since we are in the spirit for College Football as we speak, and the season is underway, here are my 3 sleepers and 3 busts for the 2011 College Football Season, and why:

Sleepers:

1. Maryland Terrapins: No, it’s not just the uniforms, Maryland is for real. Granted, the Terps beat Miami, A team that will quickly fall to the cellar of the ACC, but there is promise for Maryland this season. Maryland will likely win there next 3 games, (West Virginia, Temple and Towson) Maryland will find their way easily into the AP Top 25 by Week 6 when they face Georgia Tech. Maryland only has 3-4 tough games, so expect them to go to a solid bowl this season. “Fear The Turtle.”

2. Illinois Fighting Illini: Illinois is in a tough conference, however, like Maryland, their schedule is pretty darn easy. While the Illini are set to play in the Leaders division of the Big 10, their conference schedule looks weak. Now, that may sound like a bad thing, but for Illinois, it’s all about winning. Illinois will go 6-0 to start the year. Then, it gets tough. Ohio State is still a tough opponent despite the off field issues, Penn State is never a great place to play, and with Coach Paterno and Running Back Silas Redd, they are coming to play this season. After that? Oh, a date with Michigan who is planning on using Denard Robinson’s speed, and Brady Hoke’s wisdom, to return Michigan to it’s former glory. Wisconsin is next, which we assume will be a loss for the Illini. Nonetheless, I predict a 9-3 record for Illinois, and a spot in the end of year Top 25.

3. Arizona State Sun Devils: My last sleeper team comes from a sleeping conference. Oregon and Stanford are the only legitimate teams in the conference, with USC trailing behind. You can now add ASU to the list. Arizona State will be in the Pac 12 Championship Game. Yeah, I said it. The Sun Devils have a terrific offense led by Quarterback Brock Osweiler leading the team. Osweiler threw for 2 TD’s as Arizona State ran all over UC Ddavis, 48-14 in Week 1. The Schedule for Arizona State, is simple. There is no Stanford on that list, and the Sun Devils could keep up with Oregon, and upset the Ducks. For the rest of the schedule, is all out winning. Illinois, USC and California could challenge the Sun Devils, but I don’t see it. Predict a 10-2 season and a berth in the Pac 12 Championship Game for ASU.

Notable Sleepers: USF, Ole Miss and Missouri. Read the rest of this entry →

  • Vintage Athlete of the Month

    • Archie Griffin: 2-Time Heisman Winner
      December 11, 2022 | 1:42 pm
      Archie Griffin

      The Sports Then and Now Vintage Athlete of the Month is the only football player ever to capture college football’s top individual award twice.

      As a star running back for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Archie Griffin claimed the Heisman Trophy during his junior season in 1974 and then was able to repeat the honor the following season.

      Griffin joined the Buckeyes for the 1972 season, which happened to be the first in which freshmen were eligible to play varsity football, and made an immediate impact. After fumbling in his only carry of his first game, Griffin more than made up for it in his second game by rushing for 237 yards against North Carolina. By the end of the season, Griffin had rushed for 867 yards.

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