Can the Gators do it again in 2009?

Hopefully by now, you’ve gotten all you wanted out of this year’s college football season. Despite the controversy of the BCS (Bowl Championship Series) and especially the Big 12 South, I hope you were able to enjoy the tragic upsets and ride the wave of excitement all the way to the BCS title game in Miami. With Florida winning the 2008 BCS Championship, we can finally put to rest the 2008 season. Even if your team didn’t win the national title, or even if it did, there is one thing all college football fans have in common now… Next Year. Now that the football season is over, there is no time like the present to start talking about next year. So, let’s take a look at what we have to look forward to in the 2009 season.

By looking at a combination of the final top 10 BCS standings for 2008 and the 2009 recruiting rankings, I came up with my projection for the top five teams heading into the 2009 season. Keep in mind, a lot will change between now and the start of the season, and this projection is based on returning starters and projected recruiting rankings (which we all know can change). But, let’s take a look at my projected top five teams coming in to the 2009 season

Of the final top 10 BCS rankings, six teams stand out in terms of returning starters — USC, Texas, Alabama, Ohio State, Florida and Oklahoma. Although Ohio State had a great 2008 season, and it has a favorable 2009 schedule, it lost a great senior class. Not to mention that Terrelle Pryor is going to have to have a major growth spurt between his freshman and sophomore seasons in order for Ohio State to compete for a BCS championship. So, in my rankings, Ohio State is the odd man out.

That leaves five teams. Based on my formula of returning starters and projected recruiting rankings, Southern California ranks fifth. USC has 11 starters returning and currently has the number two ranked recruiting class of 2009. Although, I rank USC number five, keep an eye on its defense, it will have only four returning starters on defense, leaving a big hole that its top-ranked recruiting class will have to fill. USC will also have to break in a new quarterback as Mark Sanchez decided not to return for his senior season.

Next up is a tie between Alabama and Oklahoma. Both teams have 13 starters returning, but Alabama will be breaking in an inexperienced quarterback and replacing Andre Smith, its outstanding left tackle who decided to turn pro a year early. Although, Alabama does have the eighth-ranked recruiting class compared to Oklahoma’s ninth-ranked class, the nod for third goes to Oklahoma based on the fact that Oklahoma’s 2008 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Sam Bradford, is returning, leaving Alabama at number four.

Coming in at number two are the Texas Longhorns. Many people felt it deserved a shot at the BCS championship game in 2008 (not to mention its own conference championship game), but it was denied by an outdated tiebreaking system that gave Oklahoma the nod even though Texas defeated Oklahoma head to head. Could this be the year that Texas returns to Pasadena, the site of its 2005 BCS championship game victory over USC? I think so. Texas returns 15 starters including its quarterback, 2008 Heisman Trophy runner-up, Colt McCoy. Texas also has the third best class for 2009 according to ESPN.

After looking at all of the numbers, one team comes out on top, again — the Florida Gators. The 2008 BCS Champion Gators will have the most returning starters (18, including its entire first and second string defense) as well as the fifth-ranked recruiting class in the nation. It will lose the dynamic Percy Harvin to the NFL, but with the return of Tim Tebow (2007 Heisman Trophy winner), the Gators should have enough firepower to compete in its third BCS title game in the last four years with a chance to go 3-0 in those title games. Florida should clearly have the combination of returning talent and incoming depth to start the 2009 season where it finished the 2008 season… number one in the polls.

Let’s recap: number five USC, number four Alabama, number three Oklahoma, number two Texas and number one Florida. Again, a lot could, and will, change between now and the start of the 2009 season. Recruiting rankings are subject to change and nobody can truly predict how incoming freshmen will adapt to college life, not to mention the bulls-eye these teams will definitely wear.

The 2008 season ended with the Florida Gators on top, and the 2009 season will begin that way as well, but there will be a lot of hype and questions to be answered as we prepare for 2009. Can Florida repeat as champs? Can Sam Bradford repeat as Heisman Trophy winner? Will Texas get its shot at the title? We can only wait and see what’s in store for 2009, but if you use my formula, Florida and Texas fans can make arrangements to be in Pasadena January 7, 2010 for the BCS title game. And we can do what we all love to do… look ahead to Next Year.

Bryan Glass is responsible for Franchise Development for Kennedy’s All-American Barber Club®. Prior to joining the Kennedy’s team he oversaw the School to work program at Tavares High School and was the Men’s Varsity Basketball coach.

Bryan graduated from the University of Florida with Bachelor or Science degree in History. As an undergrad Bryan was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. In his spare time he enjoys coaching basketball, watching football and spending time with his wonderful wife Lindsay.

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