Preseason football predictions

OK, it has been a long while since the last post. I guess I have been busy. Major life changes do that to a person. To summarize, new job, start of grad school, major changes in my personal life. All packed into a few brief months. I am optimistic about what the future holds. I just hope that I am not exhausted before I get there.

Getting to the point of this post - my anxiously awaited preseason football predictions. In the words of Steve Spurrier, 'And away we go':

Notre Dame: New coach, new system, new players, brutal schedule (3 teams in the preason top 5, 5 in top 25). I am going with a 7-4 season that includes at least one major upset of either Michigan, USC, or Tennessee.
NCAA prediction: I'm having a hard time seeing anyone knock off USC but then again, 3 straight titles is unprecedented in this era. Also the Trojans will miss Norm Chow greatly. USC wins their 3rd straight despite my reservations.

Redskins: Remarkable that the Redskins' offseason was fairly quiet except for Sean Taylor's legal woes. Despite improvement, I think the Skins go 8-8 and miss the playoffs. I'd like to see them do better but I think the rest of the NFC East has improved and it will be difficult for the Skins to break through to the playoffs.
NFL prediction: Even harder than the NCAA choice. I will go with an all Pennsylvania Super Bowl - Philly vs. Pittsburgh. I predict the Eagles finally get the SB title.