These teams had the five best offseasons

A minimum of off-field knuckleheadedness and nothing but positive vibes for these five programs ...

Florida Atlantic: The head coach is coming off a conference title, bowl win and contract extension at age 74. If the Good Lord is willing, Howard Schnellenberger will go until he is 84 and somehow get the Owls into a better league by the time he's done. Eighteen starters return from an 8-5 team. The first four weeks include trips to Texas, Michigan State and Minnesota. Am I crazy for thinking the Owls will beat (at least) one of those teams?

North Carolina: Butch Davis should have the Heels in a bowl in his second season. The top eight rushers and top nine receivers return along with quarterback T.J. Yates who is recovering from shoulder surgery. Assistant John Blake already is showing his worth in recruiting. The Heels lost six games by seven points or less last season. There's no Clemson, Florida State or Wake Forest on the schedule. A second-place finish in the Coastal Division isn't out of the question.

Ohio State: Duh, right? The thing that gets me is that 13 juniors explored their draft worth in the offseason. Only one, Vernon Gholston, left. That means there are at least 12 other players on the roster who would at least be in an NFL camp at this point. Then The Vest landed the nation's best recruit (Terrelle Pryor). You know I love the Bucks on paper (No. 1 in CBSSports.com preseason top 25). A third BCS title game berth looks likely, even if they lose to USC.

Ole Miss: Ed Orgeron recruited like a mother. Unfortunately, the talent didn't translate to wins in time. Houston Nutt inherits a team that could be the surprise of the SEC West. The defense gets back its top 14 tacklers. Texas transfer Jevan Snead is ready to go at quarterback. One-time five-star recruit Jerrell Powe got eligible a couple of weeks ago. Coming off its first winless SEC season since 1982 don't be surprised to see the Rebels in a bowl game.

Thanks, Ed.

Texas Tech: Yeah, I know. The Red Raiders are everybody's darling. Mike Leach's spread option might be the most productive in the nation. Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree are a year older and wiser. But the defense has been upgraded too (you only need a little in the Big 12) and Texas has to come to Lubbock. Anything less than 10 victories should be considered a disappointment.

Mascollector Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 9, 2008	Posted on: August 10, 2008 12:05 am Score: 76 These teams had the five best offseasons "A third BCS title game berth looks likely, even if they lose to USC." what??? Is he insane? is he in love with OSU? If OSU loses to USC, the rest of their schedule is not enough to land them in the NC. It better not be or I call shenanigans. [ Reply to Comment ]
dwu182 Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Oct 30, 2006	Posted on: August 10, 2008 12:18 am Score: 81 These teams had the five best offseasons As in OSU fan, I find it hard to believe that OSU could make it to the NT game if they lost to USC. How would they make it over USC and a 1-loss Big XII or SEC team? [ Reply to Comment ]
dallasdomer Reputation: 84 Level: All-Star Since: Nov 19, 2006	Posted on: August 10, 2008 12:19 am Score: 77 These teams had the five best offseasons I think yes, Dodd is in love with tOSU. If they get beat by USC and then run the table on a weak Big 10 there is no way in hell they deserve another shot at the National Championship. So we can watch Georgia take its turn crushing Ohio St? I know it’s fun to watch and all, but shouldn't some other team get a shot? [ Reply to Comment ]
TTUinmyheart Reputation: 85 Level: All-Star Since: Aug 29, 2007	Posted on: August 10, 2008 1:02 am Score: 79 These teams had the five best offseasons I agree with all that was said especially the Tech part. People dont realize that a little improvement on defense is actually a bit of an understatement. They say that defense wins championships and Texas Tech is loaded on the front line. We should have enough pressure upfront from the big men and plenty of blitzes to keep people off balance. The defense will save Tech in a couple of games I have no doubt. 11 wins is more in the realm of possibilities and a likely BCS berth. Also I like hearing about Butch Davis and UNC. People quickly forget he was the one responsible for Miami in the early 2000's. In a few more seasons in a weak ACC He could be the one going to the BCS [ Reply to Comment ]
SoonerBred Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 7, 2008	Posted on: August 10, 2008 2:08 am Score: 13 These teams had the five best offseasons wow...what a surprise...a Tech fan agrees that tech had a good offseason. Newsflash: You have to go to Norman.....where Bob Stoops has lost twice....ever. Once in 06 when we were horrible and once in 02 when Hybl was qb. We have beaten the likes of #1 Nebraska, and #1 Missouri...both by at least 3 TD's ....you are not good enough now....and you never will be. Not in our house......The refs gave you a couple games at your place....and on of those was without Bradford...and you still barely won. You got a whoopin coming when you step on our field.....get ready for it. [ Reply to Comment ]
ConnGator Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Apr 6, 2008	Posted on: August 10, 2008 7:15 am Score: 84 These teams had the five best offseasons I know it’s fun to watch and all, but shouldn't some other team get a shot? Your right, I think it's Florida's turn again to crush Ohio State!! [ Reply to Comment ]
tribe585 Reputation: 0 Level: Amateur Since: Oct 28, 2007	Posted on: August 10, 2008 8:11 am Score: 93 This comment has been removed. Post Deleted by Administrator
OHIO_LAWYER Reputation: 89 Level: All-Star Since: Apr 3, 2007	Posted on: August 10, 2008 8:35 am Score: 60 These teams had the five best offseasons Well I know it is rocket science, but how about if USC pulls a late loss to an unranked team or even loses twice. Then you have the possiblity that no one makes it through the SEC with only one loss. Now what? This is college football man, you never know what will happen and you certainly can't count out a one loss team from any major conference, especially if that loss is a close one to USC. [ Reply to Comment ]
SoonerBred Reputation: 97 Level: Superstar Since: Aug 7, 2008	Posted on: August 10, 2008 11:46 am Score: 22 These teams had the five best offseasons I'm not quite ready to just assume that OSU will lose to USC. USC will be playing there second game with a new qb and a new O-line against a very experienced Ohio State team. This team allowed only 12.8 PPG last year and returns pretty much the entire defense. I will be in Seattle watching my Sooners run it up on Washington so I wont be seeing this game.....but man, its gonna be a good one. 20 days til the first CFB Saturday!!!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
blenk11 Reputation: 82 Level: All-Star Since: Jul 25, 2008	Posted on: August 10, 2008 12:26 pm Score: 38 These teams had the five best offseasons I don't think so brother! Let another SEC team do it because Auburn is going to win the SEC anyways! [ Reply to Comment ]

Dennis Dodd

Dodds and Ends