So I make a lot of predictions in this space, some of them OK, most of them pretty much the opposite of what actually happens. Generally I feel better about my "season" predictions than I do about my individual games, so now that spring football is here (or gone in the case of the some teams), I thought I'd look back at preseason football predictions so you can see how awful I am!
I predicted Utah:
9-3, 6-3 in Pac 12
Actual:
5-7, 3-6
Thoughts:
If they had been 6-3 in the Pac 12, I would have been close...their D wasn't quite as good as I expected and their propensity for big plays on O has been almost mitigated since joining the Pac 12.
Looking Ahead:
The future for Utah looks very dismal, in my opinion. They had a bunch of senior, multi-year starters against the easiest Pac 12 schedule they could hope for in 2012 and went 5-7. This year, they have some rebuilding to do on both sides of the ball and face a much more difficult Pac 12 slate. A bowl game isn't out of the question, but, if I were a betting man, I'd throw down on 4-5 wins.
Colorado predictions:
7-5, 4-5 in Pac 12
Actual:
1-11, 1-8
Thoughts:
I had CU starting 4-1. When they lost to CSU, then to Sacramento State, they were toast. It was clear that the young "talent" wasn't materializing under Embree.
Looking Ahead:
New coach, new scheme, new attitude. Who knows what the future holds for CU, but I'd guess it won't be a bowl game in 2013. 3-4 wins is probable, maybe 5-6 if things go well and confidence builds early.
Notre Dame:
9-3
Actual:
12-0
Thoughts:
Notre Dame won at least two games they shouldn't have, so I wasn't too far off.
Looking Ahead:
Huge rebuilding effort for ND could make for a rough 4th season for Brian Kelly and the Golden Domers. New O-Line, new LBs, no Tyler Eifert. They have lost key players to transfers and injuries already. They return a starting QB that showed flashes of brilliance and stupidity last season. I don't know that they have a lot of senior leadership and they have a tough schedule, particularly the first month. 7-8 wins?
BYU:
9-3
Actual:
7-5
Thoughts:
Offense wasn't up to snuff. Plain. And. Simple.
Looking Ahead:
Tough schedule in 2013. The O will be better for two reasons: Anae has shown his offenses can be consistently solid and there is no Riley Nelson to hold the unit back. The D has some serious rebuilding to do, but at least they have been challenged by a better O in practice to help them improve. Plus, there are senior leaders on the squad that can help. Win total? That will develop in my mind a bit more over the summer...
