The Sports Nerd: Lists, Rants, and Other Nerdisms: The Most Important Pre-Season Countdown of Them All

Pre-Season Countdown:

6. Boise State Broncos

Could the Broncos be on the verge of their best season yet? While they will start the season ranked lower in every poll than they did a year ago, it certainly seems like a possiblity, Vegas odds are that this is Boise's best shot ever at reaching the National Championship Game. How far this team can go will hinge on two things: beating Georgia and beating TCU. The Broncos will have a rare opportunity this year to have two statement games in the regular season. Georgia, while coming off a down year, is a preseason top 25 team and hails from the big, bad SEC. If the Broncos can knock off a heavyweight from the land's most revered confrence, they will be much closer to gaining national respect, especially if Georgia can return to form. The game against TCU seems likely to be a top ten matchup if Boise State can survive the Broncos, the toughest test on the Horned Frog schedule up to that point is against Baylor.

On offense the Broncos will return Heisman finalist Kellen Moore at QB, stud RB Doug Martin, and potential All-American Nate Potter will anchor what looks to once again be among the best lines in America. There is only one question mark for this squad, who will catch Kellen's passes. Austin Pettis and Titus Young (to the shock of many) graduated last year, and will leave a hole that was previously filled by the two most prolific recievers in the program's history. Senior WR Tyler Shoemaker will fill in one of the spots, the other appears to still be unkown, if the gap can be filled there is no reason why the Broncos can't have the country's best offense.

On defense there are more holes to fill, but still a plethora of talent coming back. Ryan Winterswyk, Shea McLellin, and Winston Venable will all be sorely missed but the toughest loss comes in the duo of Brandyn Thompson and Jeron Johnson. Billy Winn looks to be yet another potential All-American for the Broncos and George Iloka should be an all conference player at safety. The big question is how to replace so much experience at defensive back. If that question is answered, this should be a top ten defense.

The best news for Boise State is the loss of kicker Kyle Brotzman, who graduated, or got lost at sea, or is hiding in a hole somewhere. Either way he's not on the squad anymore which should only help the kicking game, although it should also mean a loss of production in the punting game.

Prediction: 12-0 - Fiesta Bowl

More winners are in for Marvel Madness: Executioner, Swordsman, Vulcan, Baron Mordo, Electro, Owl, Red Skull, and Mastermind will all be moving onto the next round.

If anyone would like a copy of the full brackets to look over, they can be downloaded
Here, here, here, and here.
If that doesn't work, and since I did that seems likely, post your e-mail address in the comments and I'll mail you a copy.

Today's Matchups........................

44. Zzzax