The Top 25
1. Florida
Two words, Tim Tebow. The Gators return the greatest player in college football history and the fastest defense in America. They have an SEC schedule that sets up nicely. At LSU on October 10th will be a test. But anything less than another BCS Championship will be a shocker. The Gators are loaded.
2. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys return quarterback Zac Robinson, tailback Kendall Hunter and receiver Dez Bryant. Defensively they will be vastly improved. A win over Georgia early will set in motion a memorable season for
“The Man” Mike Gundy. Yes you are reading this correctly. It’s an Oklahoma school, but a different one. With Georgia, Texas Tech and Texas all at home this could be a year they won’t soon forget in Stillwater.
3. Texas
Quarterback Colt McCoy is on a mission. The talented and vocal quarterback needs a ground game to take some of the pressure off him and receivers Jordan Shipley and Malcolm Williams. True freshmen running back Chris Whaley must make an impact. Texas verses Oklahoma State at Stillwater October 30th will be a war with the winner looking good down the stretch.
4. Southern Cal
The Trojans will be breaking in a new quarterback and they have to replace eight starters on defense including linebackers Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Clay Matthews. At Ohio State September 12th is early enough that if they take a loss they could win out and be sniffing around for a title chance at season's end.
5. Alabama
Rebuilding an offensive line takes some time. Especially when breaking in a new quarterback. But after watching the Tide’s spring game I saw a defense that will take over games. Defense, a quarterback who can’t make mistakes and Nick Saban. By season's end, Alabama could be the second best team in the country and SEC.
6. Virginia Tech
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor now has big game experience and the athleticism to take over games. A strong defense returns and of course in Blacksburg special teams will win at least one game. The opener is a killer but a win could send the Hokies flying high all season. With a win over Alabama the Hokies could be the team to beat in the ACC. A loss could take weeks to recover from in a competitive ACC.
7. LSU
Nobody is talking about Les Miles’ Tigers. Knowing Les, that’s a good thing. The Tigers are fast, skilled and have a young freshmen quarterback coming in that could have the nation a buzz by mid season. Tailback Charles Scott and receiver Brandon LaFell are elite. At Georgia on October 3rd , at Alabama on November 7th and at Ole Miss on November 21st. Ouch! But winning two of those could have the Tigers looking good at BCS time.
8. Ohio State
In a weak league Ohio State is one team that has the skill to compete nationally and will get to prove that early against Southern California in Columbus. The Buckeyes have an improved offensive line returning and a physical defense led by an experienced defensive line. With one in conference challenge this year November 7th at Penn State look for the Buckeyes to again be in the discussion for a title match-up if they come out of State College with a win.
9. North Carolina
The Tarheels return the best defensive line in the country. Their defensive tackles are ready for the Sunday league now. If quarterback T.J. Yates can stay healthy, look out! The schedule is feisty.. at Georgia Tech on September 26th, at Virginia Tech on October 29th and at NC State on November 28th all will pose a challenge. But don’t discount Butch Davis’ gang. These guys are skilled and under the radar nationally.
10. Mississippi
The Rebels are good folks. Real good. Led by quarterback Jevan Snead, receiver Shay Hodge and multi-talented Dexter McCluster, and returning most of their offensive line, the score board will be lighting up in Oxford. Defensively they are good enough to exploit a weak non-conference schedule competitive enough to take every game down to the wire. And, with the experienced Snead behind center look for the Rebels to take up where they left off last season. Yes, they are for real!
11. Oklahoma
Last year's Heisman Trophy winner quarterback Sam Bradford and the Sooners will be as good as their new offensive line. And new they will be. The Sooners are replacing four starters across the front. Bradford has playmakers in his arsenal, but it’s hard to throw when your running for your life, or on your back. November 28th at home against Oklahoma State will be interesting and equally fun will be Longhorns in Dallas October 17th.
12. Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets return nine starters on offense, including quarterback Josh Nesbitt and running backs Jonathan Dwyer and Roddy Jones. The schedule is interesting having Clemson on September 10th, North Carolina on Sept 26th, Virginia Tech on October 17th and Wake Forest on November 7th all at home. But they play three games in the first 12 days of the season. GT is a decent schedule away from contending for the BCS title.
13. South Florida
Senior quarterback Matt Grothe is posed to lead the Bulls to their first Big East championship. The gutty senior has weapons all around him on offense and a defense led by arguably the nation’s best edge rusher in George Selvie. USF travels to Tallahassee September 26th and entertains Miami November 28. Both sexy games with conference chest pounding ramifications at stake. However their season will come down to October 30th when West Virginia arrives in Tampa for the Big East championship.
14. Boise State
Boise State returns starters six starters on offense and six on defense from a team that ran the table last year finishing 12-0. Quarterback Kellen Moore and talented receivers Austin Pettis and Titus Young will create havoc for opposing defensive coordinators. At Fresno State on September 18th and at Tulsa on October 14th will either break or make their BCS positioning.
15. California
Perhaps the nation’s best tailback Jahvid Best will lead Cal who is flying undetected nationally. Best, who ran for 1,580 yards and 15 touchdowns last season can single handedly take over games for the Golden Bears. A rugged schedule could make things interesting with games at Minnesota, Oregon, UCLA and Arizona State.
16. Nebraska
The Cornhuskers are replacing a lot of production on offense, mainly at quarterback. But tailbacks Roy Helu Jr. and Quentin Castille and new quarterback Zac Lee's running will be enough. Defensively Nebraska is skilled, fast and talented. September 19th at Virginia Tech could be one of the best games on the entire season. Two manageable conference road games at Missouri and Kansas, However Texas Tech and Oklahoma visit Lincoln. If the Huskers start strong and start believing in themselves, they could make BCS noise.
17. Penn State
Quarterback Daryll Clark returns and is a playmaker. However Clark will only go as far as his young and inexperienced offensive line takes him. Additionally, the receiving core must also be replaced. Defensively they must develop their defensive line and get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. The good news is Penn State plays Ohio State and Iowa at home.
18. Georgia
Quarterback Joe Cox will replace the NFL’s top pick Matt Stafford in Athens. Cox has game experience and he has a solid group of ball carriers lining up behind him. Caleb King, Richard Samuel and elusive Carlton Thomas give the Dawg’s talented ball carriers. Thomas is super quick and gives Cox a player outside to drop the ball off to. Georgia entertains Arizona State at home on September 26.
19. Kansas
Senior quarterback Todd Reesing returns for his final season. Reesing is one of those players that seems like he’s been the Jayhawk quarterback forever. Also returning are running back Jake Sharp and receivers Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier. Replacing their linebacker core from last year is the key. Kansas entertains Oklahoma at Lawrence but will travel to Texas Tech and Texas.
20. Florida State
Christian Ponder returns and for the first time in the past few seasons there isn’t a quarterback battle in Tallahassee. This is Ponder’s team and with an experienced offensive line in front of him the Noles are hoping their return is imminent. One big question on offense is finding a go to receiver. Defensively FSU is loaded led by an NFL type secondary. With the opener at home against instate and hated rival Miami, a win here could get the Seminoles rolling.
21. Wake Forest
Senior quarterback Riley Skinner is one of the most underrated players in the nation. All he’s done at Wake is win and nothing this year is available to prove that trend won’t continue. Skinner will have eight other offensive starters returning. The question is defense. The Deacons lose seven starters on defense including a couple early draft picks.
22. Oregon
The Chip Kelly era has officially begun for the Ducks. One of the hottest names over the past couple of years when head coaching positions would open, Kelly takes over an offense that must develop an offensive line. Skill position wise, Oregon has the athletes to compete. The defense will be lead by experienced linebackers Spencer Paysinger, Casey Matthews and Eddie Pleasant.
23. West Virginia
Life in Morgantown without Pat White started in the spring with a bang when new starting Mountaineer quarterback Jarrett Brown completed his first 16 passes in the WVU spring game. Brown is big, talented, athletic and offer’s an NFL arm. Noel Devine and his fellow super small but equally super fast running backs and slots all return. Seven defensive starters are back along with 2007 Fiesta Bowl MVP Reed Williams who missed '08 due to injury. The WVU season could come down to a trip to South Florida.
24. East Carolina
ECU returns quarterback Patrick Pinkney and a whole host of starters on offense. Some feel Kentucky transfer running back Brandon Jackson will impact. WR Patrick Bowman is talented and offers Pinkney a go to receiver. September 12th at Morgantown and WVU and November 5th at home against Virginia Tech will tell the tale.
25. NC State
Quietly NC State has one of the nation's premier quarterbacks in Russell Wilson. The two sport star is a big time athlete and after throwing for almost 2,000 yards last year and 17 touchdowns, look for a bigger season this coming fall. Defensively the Pack must get better defending the pass. The season opener September 3rd against rival South Carolina will be a war.
