Of course, no one can predict the perfect outcome every time. This is always good fodder, though. Here's a bonus Phil blurb on LSU: "In 2000 Nick Saban inherited a 3-8 team and after a 3-3 start, won 5 of the last 6 including a bowl. In '01 I called for them to win the SEC West and they accomplished it knocking off Tenn in the SEC Title game and romped over Illinois in the Sugar Bowl for a #7 finish in the polls, (highest S/'87). In '02 I went against LSU and chose Ark to win the SEC West. The Hogs won the West, but LSU had an 8-5 season. In '03 when everyone else in the country picked Auburn to win the SEC West, I chose LSU calling them my #2 surprise team comparing them to Ohio St's '02 National Championship squad noting that they had a favorable scenario for an unbeaten season." Do with this what you please.
Guys, it's hard to fully appreciate Phil's picks without reading the preview issue. The guy is a big stats guy and relies on a number of interesting stats-based angles that most others do not. Here's an example: he's high on LSU's special teams b/c Skyler should return to form this year (well, we all know this), the placekicker(s) are both pretty experienced and should continue to improve because the data shows that Les Miles-coached specialists are pretty darn good. From Phil himself: In other words: do the math. Miles will round the ST into form. He ranks team units as well (OL, DL, RB, etc.). The only category where LSU does not make the top 25 in the country is, of course, at QB. Rankings for LSU (unit): QB=not ranked RB=#3 WR=#11 OL=#6 DL=#6 LB=#10 DB=#2 (!) ("The Tigers have finished # 6, 1, and 5 in my pass D rankings the last 3 years.") Special Teams=#4 If I buy just one preseason mag a year, I always get Phil's. It truly is a data and information-packed resource (326 pages total). I do have to admit, though, that seeing someone predict an LSU-USC Rose Bowl has got me going something fierce. There's something so...right about facing those a**holes for all the marbles in Pasadena. I'd have to take the entire week of the game off and just hoof it to Pasadena just to soak it all in since I wouldn't be able to concentrate at work, anyways (flights from Houston are under $400). I have this visual of someone like, oh, Melvin Oliver cracking Lienart from the blind side. In my head, it's in slow-motion, NFL Films-style, so you see the look of agony on Matt's face as his head snaps back from the force of the tackle. Damn, that's a nice thought.
