Who’s the 2006 Dark Horse?

Every possible college football poll has come out, the number system is in place. Now all we need is for these games to be played over the next coming months to figure out who will be crowned National Championship…Or do computers pick the National Champs? At any rate, this is the time of year when every team in the country is on the same level…From the Buckeyes in Columbus to the Owls in Boca Raton, everybody believes they’ll be the best team in the nation at seasons end.

In the reality scheme of things only the Top 25 teams who are ranked in both the AP & Coaches Polls have a realistic chance of becoming the best team in college football…If that? Whether this is fair or unfair, this is life, and life is usually unfair. So deal with it peeps, cause it’s the facts Jack. In looking past the Top 10 in both polls, what could be some dark horses this year that which are currently flying under the radar, has a legitimate shot to capture that oh, so precious Waterford Crystal Football?

At least on paper, these following respective schools pose many of the right ingredients…A veteran quarterback, experienced offensive and defensive lines, proven playmakers, a favorable schedule to put together a championship run, provided some other key areas fall into place. Some are obvious (Ohio State, Notre Dame, West Virginia), some are sleepers (Cal, Clemson, Nebraska) and some are completely off the radar (South Carolina, Georigia Tech,). Understand this, I’m not saying these are the top 16 teams in the country. You'll notice the absence of several seemingly highly regarded teams that may very well have fantastic seasons. It's just that those teams are missing that certain something to make the ultimate run. Now, all these teams here have the basic foundation to go 13-0 yet could just as easily wind up 7-6. That's because everyone is vulnerable this year. Everyone has questions. Only one team (barring another pesky split championship) will be able to answer them all.

Now it’s time for me to show what kind of ONIONS I’ve got by stepping out on a limb and picking a dark horse with a realistic chance of kissing the little cute crystal football at years end. This is very difficult for me to say being a diehard Notre Dame Golden Domer, but I must go with the whore…Ann Arbor. You dirty little girl. Yes, don’t be surprised to see Michigan challenge this season.

Michigan, which is returning a veteran QB (Chad Henne) and a top running back (Mike Hart), and has a strong offensive line. We also think wideout Steve Breaston is primed for a breakout year (if he can learn how to get over the Jeremy Stevens syndrome afraid of catching the flying pigskin a little better). While the Wolverines record last season (7-5) left a lot to be desired, all five losses were by a touchdown or less. If they can get by the Irish, the sky’s the limit for Lloyd’s boys with the last hurdle coming at the Horseshoe in Columbus. Hail to the Victors? By no means am I saying the Maze & Blue are going to win the National Championship…All I’m look for these guys to make some noise during the year because as of now they’re a mute.

So you’ve heard my off the wall prediction…Now, what’s your’s. Some might think my scuttlebutt is preposterous, but hey, I haven’t seen anybody else predict a dark horse to possibly win the ADT Trophy…So now find your own horse, I got mine. Just too bad I don’t know how far this horse will take me? But hey what do I know…I’m just a ticket holder who sits in the LastRow.

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