Da GOAT'S "Sleeper Picks"

Welcome All….In true GOAT fashion, it’s time to look at some of the teams that I feel are “Sleeper” picks if you will. I know, some of you will think to yourself, “I already said that”, but you didn’t, so I am. Here we go….

SEC

Arkansas

This year may be the year that the Razorback faithful have their reason for hiring the “One and Done” Offensive mad scientist known as Bobby Petrino. Ryan Mallet is eligible this year and has a ton of talent and an absolute cannon on his shoulder. He is surrounded by talent at RB, with returning Michael Smith and Dennis Johnson back. A host of WR’s including Burner D.J. Williams leading the way, are all set to make big plays. The Defense is going to be very solid with a slew of returning starters. Of course, Da GOAT doesn’t think that Arkansas will win 9-10 games, but ATS, they will be a GREAT BET! Having to go ON THE ROAD to face Texas A&M, Alabama, Florida, Ole Miss, and LSU and having Auburn, USC and Georgia coming to Fayetteville, AR makes this schedule easily the toughest in the country. So, I do think Arkansas is a nice “Sleeper” pick but not to win the conference or even 10 games, but they will surprise some folks this year, and don’t be surprised if you don’t see them on the Da GOAT’s card early and often as they should be DOGS a lot at home.

Big 12

I would take Oklahoma St. here, but they are getting noticed, so Da GOAT chooses:

ROCK, CHAULK JAYHAWKS! Kansas

Todd Reesing is back to run an offense that might be as good if not better then the Jayhawks team that recently won the Orange Bowl. Both RB’s and a great WR corp. should allow Reesing to put up gaudy stats again this year. Same problem as with all the Big 12 team, no defense, but in the BIG 12 conference it’s all about who has the ball last anyway. (Texas fans should note this). Of course, Kansas has a glaring 0-9 against Texas, Oklahoma, and Texas Tech, and 7-3 against Mizzou and KSU. I look for the Jayhawks to probably win 8-9 ball games this year with the best game on the schedule being a date Nov. 14th with the Nebraska Corn Huskers where they look to score 100 a piece. Watch the Jayhawks this year as they may not have A LOT of value ATS, but the O/U numbers ought to be the TICKET this year.

ACC
Everyone is harping that “NCSU” is the sleeper pick in the ACC….NOT Da GOAT…Not this time!

Georgia Tech (With honorable mention going to UNC and Wake Forest)

Paul Johnson’s offense was a hit last year in the ACC and overall the Jackets went 9-4 overall last year. 9 offensive starters return this year with “Kid Dynamite” Josh Nesbitt and Jonathan Dwyer back in the mix and leading the way. GT was hitting off at a 273 yrd. Clip last year on the ground and it looks even more promising this year. Watch out ACC, this team is for real. Opposing teams are going to have to light up the scoreboard this year to keep up with Tech, but their stout defense will have something to say about that, because they are a talented bunch. GT has to go to UM, FSU, and Vandy, with Clemson, UNC, VT and Georgia coming to ATL. This team will be a team to watch out for because of they get on a roll, they will silently be in the Top 10 very quickly and should be a good bet ATS.

Big East

West Virginia

I actually like Cincy in this spot, but WV has caught my eye. They have a pitiful schedule and with some “Devine” intervention, they may slip up and win the Big East crown this year. Pat White leaving, on paper, creates a large void in the offense, or so it would appear. However, remember the name Jarrett Brown, because you will be hearing it often. He is a great, smooth QB that should fit right in to the WV scheme and coupled with Noel Devine, they should be a good tandem that will anchor this offense. Leading receiver Alric Arnett is back and looks to make a lot of plays for Brown which should open up some lanes for Devine if the defenses commit to stopping the pass. The offensive line is a new fresh bunch, but if they can block or hold somebody for long enough, Devine will take it the distance every time. Back to Back games with East Carolina at home and then going to Auburn, we will find out early if the Da GOAT has this team figured out.

Mountain West

TCU

After Utah smacked around Alabama last year in the Sugar Bowl, this conference started to get noticed. Da GOAT has always kept his collective eye on this conference because of Air Force, and BYU. They are great ATS. But this year, the state of Texas might have 2 teams in the BCS this year, provided ND shits the bed and they don’t get the at large bid. TCU is my pick coming out of the “Monster West”. With no Oklahoma on the schedule, and getting Utah at home, they might not have that tough of a course going undefeated this year. Gary Patterson is a genius and with only 8 return starters on this squad, Patterson will have to dig deep into his “Gray Matter” to figure out how to go undefeated with a group of untested young guns like they have. Andy Dalton is back however, and he was very efficient last year in running the offense, but will need to step his game up this year and be a leader, or this team will burn in flames.

Big 10

Who Cares…… Penn St. and Ohio State and then the rest of the worst from this conference.
However Illinois is the pick to be “third best” in this conference. That’s all the time I have for this conference until they prove they can win in big games, they are not worth my time.

Pac-10

Da fighting Beava’s of Oregon St.

Big problems on the defense really scares Da GOAT and does not make this pick appear to be a good one, but if they can “score more points than the other team” then OSU is they way to go. Everyone is talking about CAL, USC and Oregon, but OSU is flying under the radar at the moment. A lot of that is because of the defense of OSU losing the entire secondary and D-line. If they can find some talent to fill the gaps and knock down some passes, then they might be able to rely on their offense to beat people. I believe Morevao will be ready by the season opener, and both Rodgers are back to carry the tater this year. The road schedule is brutal, having to go to USC, CAL, ‘Zona St and Oregon, so if they plan on making it a good year they better smack people around in Reser Stadium this year.

That’s all I have folk, you may or not agree…so voice your opinion/comment and let’s discuss it.

Enjoy,
Da GOAT