Phil Steele 08

[KT2000]

Season preview greatness.

The volume of information makes this the best buy on the market in my opinion. I usually only get this preview and either Lindy's or Sporting News.

I usually gloss over the rankings and pay more attention to the depth charts and overall talent breakdown. Nevertheless...

Steele's Top 10

1. Florida
2. Ohio State
3. Oklahoma
4. USC
5. Clemson
6. West Virginia
7. Missouri
8. South Florida
9. Georgia
10. Penn State

Tech is 11 (#3 surprise team ranking) and Texas is 15.

Clemson is a reach that high in my view, but they certainly have talent. He's banking on USF due to a light schedule, but they do travel to WVA for their 12th game. I expected to see Georgia ranked higher. I figured most would give them top five billing.

[pied]

Clemson is a reach that high in my view, but they certainly have talent. He's banking on USF due to a light schedule, but they do travel to WVA for their 12th game. I expected to see Georgia ranked higher. I figured most would give them top five billing.


Don't see a scenario w/WVU and USF if they play each other so late.

[lonny23]

I bought his book a few days ago and he has the right idea. He looks at who plays who and determines his rankings from there. He knows Tech should be ranked higher than Texas because they're likely to beat Texas.

He said he put Texas at #15 because of their schedule and thinks they should be #10 in a power ranking. He has Tech at #11 in the Top 40 and #11 in his power poll, but that's still too low according to his research.

He said Tech should be 10-0 going into Norman in almost every scenario he runs and an 11-1 Tech team won't be #11. They'll be closer to the 3-7 range.

Oh, and that Dave Campbell cover wasn't too bad, either. They've got the good guys at #8.

[KT2000]

I bought his book a few days ago and he has the right idea. He looks at who plays who and determines his rankings from there. He knows Tech should be ranked higher than Texas because they're likely to beat Texas.

He said he put Texas at #15 because of their schedule and thinks they should be #10 in a power ranking. He has Tech at #11 in the Top 40 and #11 in his power poll, but that's still too low according to his research.

He said Tech should be 10-0 going into Norman in almost every scenario he runs and an 11-1 Tech team won't be #11. They'll be closer to the 3-7 range.

Oh, and that Dave Campbell cover wasn't too bad, either. They've got the good guys at #8.

I believe Steele combines eight different model runs to form his rankings.

[cajun]

cajun61 > Phil Steele

That preseason poll is probably the worst I've seen this year...

Scary!

[lonny23]

I believe Steele combines eight different model runs to form his rankings.
Yes, he combines 8 things.

His rankings have Tech at 11.
His power poll has Tech at 11.
His plus/minus power ratings have Tech at 11.

I don't know if his other 5 include schedule, but he has Tech with the #39 hardest schedule and #31 opponents winning %.

[lonny23]

cajun61 > Phil Steele

That preseason poll is probably the worst I've seen this year...

Scary!
Ol' Phil also predicted your bowl doom. Ok, he only said LSU would play Tech in the Cotton Bowl, but I'll predict your bowl doom!:D

[jtk1519]

cajun61 > Phil Steele

That preseason poll is probably the worst I've seen this year...

Scary!

That is by far the worst preseason poll I have seen yet. Mizzou, South Florida and Clemson over UGA?! WTF? Either Mark Richt slept with Phil Steel's wife or he is a f'n moron. Penn State?! BWAHAHAHAHA!

[TrojanHorse03]

Ol' Phil also predicted your bowl doom. Ok, he only said LSU would play Tech in the Cotton Bowl, but I'll predict your bowl doom!:D

I'm sorry but that really made me rotflmao!!!

I'm trying to hang with ya on this one Lonny, but I do believe you've crossed the line into Bizarroland.



You might wanna pray Ol' Phil is wrong.

[cajun]

That is by far the worst preseason poll I have seen yet. Mizzou, South Florida and Clemson over UGA?! WTF? Either Mark Richt slept with Phil Steel's wife or he is a f'n moron. Penn State?! BWAHAHAHAHA!

All the knucklehead's combined poll...

http://preseason.stassen.com/consensus/2008.html

[jtk1519]

Do yourselves a favor and read College Football News' online previews. They're free and a helluva lot better than any thing you will drop money on.

[chhspantherfan]

where is TCU? They will be 4-0 going to Norman. No matter the outcome of that, they will run the table after that. So, they end up 11-1 with only blemish in September.

Andy Dalton will lead them to the MWC crown !!
Aug. 30, 2008 at New Mexico 5:00 pm CT
Sept. 6, 2008 Stephen F. Austin TBA
Sept. 13, 2008 Stanford TBA
Sept. 20, 2008 at SMU 7:00 pm CT
Sept. 27, 2008 at Oklahoma TBA
Oct. 4, 2008 San Diego St. TBA
Oct. 11, 2008 at Colorado State 2:30 pm CT
Oct. 16, 2008 Brigham Young TBA
Oct. 25, 2008 Wyoming TBA
Nov. 1, 2008 at UNLV 7:00 pm CT
Nov. 6, 2008 at Utah TBA
Nov. 22, 2008 Air Force TBA

[slorch]

took a gander at Phil's mag in the store and my first impression is that he is quite enamored by Tech, all of the sudden.

It's to the point of overkill, IMO.

I like the mags for general info, but put very little credence into their prognosticating abilities.

it is driving the Ags crazy, in general, to see so much stuff about Tech in these publications, so all's not lost.:D

you still have to win the games.( you reading this Lonny?) The mental vanishings of the past still scare me( CU, Mizzou, ect.,) and the Raiders have the Seniors and talent to accomplish something great this season. Will they be able to execute?

[wesaxman34]

took a gander at Phil's mag in the store and my first impression is that he is quite enamored by Tech, all of the sudden.

It's to the point of overkill, IMO.

I like the mags for general info, but put very little credence into their prognosticating abilities.

it is driving the Ags crazy, in general, to see so much stuff about Tech in these publications, so all's not lost.:D

you still have to win the games.( you reading this Lonny?) The mental vanishings of the past still scare me( CU, Mizzou, ect.,) and the Raiders have the Seniors and talent to accomplish something great this season. Will they be able to execute?

I think they will. It's all about mental toughness and leadership...some of those games, especially the one against Mizzou, they beat themselves down into their own grave...receivers dropping passes left and right, sloppy tackling, etc. Graham seemed like the only one trying to pump everyone up. Anyways....why dwell on that game?:D

There will definitely be some great leadership on both sides of the ball this season though. Man, I just can't wait for September anymore.....

[slorch]

I think they will. It's all about mental toughness and leadership...some of those games, especially the one against Mizzou, they beat themselves down into their own grave...receivers dropping passes left and right, sloppy tackling, etc. Graham seemed like the only one trying to pump everyone up. Anyways....why dwell on that game?:D

There will definitely be some great leadership on both sides of the ball this season though. Man, I just can't wait for September anymore.....

sloppy tackling would have been better than much of what I witnessed last season...:rolleyes:

I think it was JTK that so subtly stated that the Red Raider defenders struggled even to be in position to miss the tackle on many occasions...
I would love for that to change!!!

[ThEgReAtOnE]

where is TCU? They will be 4-0 going to Norman. No matter the outcome of that, they will run the table after that. So, they end up 11-1 with only blemish in September.

Andy Dalton will lead them to the MWC crown !!
Aug. 30, 2008 at New Mexico 5:00 pm CT
Sept. 6, 2008 Stephen F. Austin TBA
Sept. 13, 2008 Stanford TBA
Sept. 20, 2008 at SMU 7:00 pm CT
Sept. 27, 2008 at Oklahoma TBA
Oct. 4, 2008 San Diego St. TBA
Oct. 11, 2008 at Colorado State 2:30 pm CT
Oct. 16, 2008 Brigham Young TBA
Oct. 25, 2008 Wyoming TBA
Nov. 1, 2008 at UNLV 7:00 pm CT
Nov. 6, 2008 at Utah TBA
Nov. 22, 2008 Air Force TBA

I wouldn't count Stanford as a "win", just yet. Yes.. they lost to Notre Dame late last season... but they also shocked USC a few games before. And they bring back 16 starters, including their QB, RB, FB and 9 on defense. On top of that, QB-Andrew Luck (from Houston Stratford) may challenge for PT and was a stout 6'4 220 lbs, this past season. The kid looked D1 ready at many times... he just lacked quality WR's. Also, Stanford landed a 6'5 205 lb WR (Relaund) and 4-Star WR-Owusu from the California coast - and the hands of Michigan and Notre Dame. Stanford doesn't have a favorable schedule (having to play ASU, UCLA, Washington, Notre Dame, Oregon and Cal on the road) but they will have enough of a solid team (with 13 Sr's starting in 2008) to make it tough for many teams. Plus, I'm a fan of HC Harbaugh!

[WestPlano006]

I wouldn't count Stanford as a "win", just yet. Yes.. they lost to Notre Dame late last season... but they also shocked USC a few games before. And they bring back 16 starters, including their QB, RB, FB and 9 on defense. On top of that, QB-Andrew Luck (from Houston Stratford) may challenge for PT and was a stout 6'4 220 lbs, this past season. The kid looked D1 ready at many times... he just lacked quality WR's. Also, Stanford landed a 6'5 205 lb WR (Relaund) and 4-Star WR-Owusu from the California coast - and the hands of Michigan and Notre Dame. Stanford doesn't have a favorable schedule (having to play ASU, UCLA, Washington, Notre Dame, Oregon and Cal on the road) but they will have enough of a solid team (with 13 Sr's starting in 2008) to make it tough for many teams. Plus, I'm a fan of HC Harbaugh!


I was going to say the same thing.

[ThEgReAtOnE]

Season preview greatness.

The volume of information makes this the best buy on the market in my opinion. I usually only get this preview and either Lindy's or Sporting News.

I usually gloss over the rankings and pay more attention to the depth charts and overall talent breakdown. Nevertheless...

Steele's Top 10

1. Florida
2. Ohio State
3. Oklahoma
4. USC
5. Clemson
6. West Virginia
7. Missouri
8. South Florida
9. Georgia
10. Penn State

Tech is 11 (#3 surprise team ranking) and Texas is 15.

Clemson is a reach that high in my view, but they certainly have talent. He's banking on USF due to a light schedule, but they do travel to WVA for their 12th game. I expected to see Georgia ranked higher. I figured most would give them top five billing.


While I respect Steele's methods... I still have to say that ranking list is pretty crazy and unimagineable.

If there's a publication that seems to having the Top 25 right, it'd be....

Lindy's 2008 Pre-Season Top 25:

1. Georgia
2. USC
3. Ohio State
4. OU
5. Missouri
6. Florida
7. LSU
8. Texas
9. Clemson
10. West Virginia
11. Wisconsin
12. BYU
13. Auburn
14. Arizona State
15. Kansas
16. Texas Tech
17. Wake Forest
18. Illinois
19. South Florida
20. Alabama
21. Oregon
22. Fresno State
23. Pittsburgh
24. Tennessee
25. Florida State

USC might be too high and Florida too low, but that Top 25 is far more reasonable.

[wesaxman34]

Wow...South Florida #8??? They had a good season and all but that's just a little over the top for me.

Their "light" schedule includes:

W2 - at UCF
W3 - Kansas
W6 - Pitt
W7 - Syracuse
W8 - at Louisville
W9 - at Cinny
W10 - Rutgers
W11- UConn
W12 - at WVU

I wouldn't call that light...

[WestPlano006]

While I respect Steele's methods... I still have to say that ranking list is pretty crazy and unimagineable.

If there's a publication that seems to having the Top 25 right, it'd be....

Lindy's 2008 Pre-Season Top 25:

1. Georgia
2. USC
3. Ohio State
4. OU
5. Missouri
6. Florida
7. LSU
8. Texas
9. Clemson
10. West Virginia
11. Wisconsin
12. BYU
13. Auburn
14. Arizona State
15. Kansas
16. Texas Tech
17. Wake Forest
18. Illinois
19. South Florida
20. Alabama
21. Oregon
22. Fresno State
23. Pittsburgh
24. Tennessee
25. Florida State

USC might be too high and Florida too low, but that Top 25 is far more reasonable.

I am going to go out on alimb here...

USC will lose to Ohio State.

[KT2000]

Steele's rankings can be pretty jacked up due to his formula, but the information in his magazine puts anything else on the newsstand to shame.

[lonny23]

took a gander at Phil's mag in the store and my first impression is that he is quite enamored by Tech, all of the sudden.

It's to the point of overkill, IMO.

I like the mags for general info, but put very little credence into their prognosticating abilities.

it is driving the Ags crazy, in general, to see so much stuff about Tech in these publications, so all's not lost.:D

you still have to win the games.( you reading this Lonny?) The mental vanishings of the past still scare me( CU, Mizzou, ect.,) and the Raiders have the Seniors and talent to accomplish something great this season. Will they be able to execute?I think the analysis is legit. Tech does a good job of developing players and is approaching the big boys for talent level and depth as each year goes by.

I'm going to use a 5-year plan for each recruiting class.

From 00-03, Leach was coaching with Spike's recruits. He went to 4 bowl games with those kids and won the last 2 bowls (Dec 02 and 03). Leach's first 2 groups of kids he recruited won the Holiday Bowl (Dec 04) and lost the Cotton Bowl (Jan 06).

I don't have the recruting averages during Leach's first 2 years on the job or before that, but I do have them from 02 on.

02 class ranked 57th with a 2.42 average, won the Insight Bowl as seniors in Dec 06.

03 class ranked 51st with a 2.60 average, won the Gator Bowl as seniors in Jan 08.

04 class ranked 33rd with a 2.69 average are seniors this year.

05 class ranked 40th with a 2.67 average.

06 class ranked 33rd with a 2.88 average.

07 class ranked 42nd with a 2.73 average.

08 class ranked 30th with a 3.00 average.

Tech won't see another class under 3.00 for a while if Leach stays.

[jtk1519]

I think the analysis is legit. Tech does a good job of developing players and is approaching the big boys for talent level and depth as each year goes by.


Yeah, the same way somebody traveling out of Midland and driving through Big Spring is "approaching" Dallas. The direction and distance traveled is nothing in relation to the distance yet to traverse.

[wesaxman34]

Yeah, the same way somebody traveling out of Midland and driving through Big Spring is "approaching" Dallas. The direction and distance traveled is nothing in relation to the distance yet to traverse.

Although I agree with lonny, your analogy is awesome.

[lonny23]

Yeah, the same way somebody traveling out of Midland and driving through Big Spring is "approaching" Dallas. The direction and distance traveled is nothing in relation to the distance yet to traverse.
The distance will be gone in the next 5 years.

[jtk1519]

Leach will be gone in the next 5 years.

fify

[lonny23]

fify
I really think Leach is there to stay. He's not going anywhere. Longhorn fans might want to hope he leaves in a few years!:D

[AE 8008]

I am going to go out on alimb here...

USC will lose to Ohio State.

doubt it

[jtk1519]

I really think Leach is there to stay. He's not going anywhere. Longhorn fans might want to hope he leaves in a few years!:D

Texas is 7-1 vs Leach beating his teams by an average of close to 20 points. We're just fine with him staying. :cool:

[slorch]

Texas is 7-1 vs Leach beating his teams by an average of close to 20 points. We're just fine with him staying. :cool:

If something happens once, then it's good forever, right?

signed,
Texas Aggies,
National Champions

[wesaxman34]

keep living in the past...;)

word.

[Firebird]

If something happens once, then it's good forever, right?

signed,
Texas Aggies,
National Champions


Texas Tech: Attempting to replace the echo out in our "Football Champions" trophy case every year since 1923.

[slorch]

Texas Tech: Attempting to replace the echo out in our "Football Champions" trophy case every year since 1923.

echo or dust? neither one is very gratifying. only one entity chooses to convey some type of false pretense derived from what once was...