Middle of the summer…let’s keep fresh with some college football preparation.
Surprise? Phil’s love affair with Georgia continues. If it doesn’t work out that way, we’d be happy to take a look at picking up Mark Richt.
Raycom’s blog provides us more insight into Steele’s recently released magazine (Link)
Even though the Wolfpack is rated last in the Atlantic Division by one of the best reknowned forecasters in the college football business — Phil Steele — there is some good news and a tidbit of optimism in his crystal ball for the 2010 season.
The quarterback combo of Russell Wilson and Michael Glennon is rated the best one-two punch in the country.
Wilson recently signed a pro baseball contract with the Colorado Rockies, but will be allowed to play college football in 2010. However, the odds are that this is Wilson’s swan song in Raleigh — a fact that will encourage the coaches to sign two quarterbacks this fall for 2011.
Both Wilson and Glennon will battle for the starting job in pre-season practice with Wilson the odds-on-favorite. Glennon, almost assuredly, will see action in 2010. Steele says Glennon is in the mold of Matt Ryan, TOB’s pupil at Boston College and now the Atlanta Falcons signal-caller.
The other bit of optimism, according to the forecaster, is that if head coach Tom O’Brien finally has some good fortune happen (instead of devastating injuries) in his fourth season, the Pack could finally experience a winning season.
However, being rated last in the Atlantic Division in O’Brien’s fourth season is a bitter pill for most Wolfpackers with lifetime rights seats to swallow. Those supporters have been waiting for consistency and winning seasons since the year 2000. Last season, the Pack was given a chance to win the Atlantic.
Florida State and Boston College are his one-two picks in the Atlantic with Clemson challenging. Miami, Virginia Tech, North Carolina and Georgia Tech are all Top 25 picks in the Coastal. Steele says all of those clubs have a chance to win the ACC title. It was surprising that Georgia Tech was picked a distant fourth.
Most quality coaches (O’Brien included), according to Steele, kick their programs in high gear during their third seasons. Let’s hope TOB is just one year behind schedule.
