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| Genibus Nitito Canus Premium Member Moderator | The latest ESPN Pre Season Top 25 (1-10) Spring practices have wrapped up, so it's time to take another look at the preseason top 25. Injuries, suspensions and dismissals littered the spring, but how did they affect the rankings? Well, to start things off, there's been a change at the top. 1. Ohio State Buckeyes Raise your hand if you want to see the Buckeyes back in the BCS title game … didn't think so. But with an extraordinary number of juniors and seniors returning, Ohio State seems poised to become the first team in the 112-year history of the Big Ten to win three straight outright league titles. Even if the Buckeyes lose at USC on Sept. 13, they might end up playing in the BCS title game in Miami on Jan. 8. 2. Georgia Bulldogs Georgia might be more explosive and talented than Ohio State, but the Bulldogs' schedule is much tougher. The Bulldogs play consecutive road games at South Carolina and Arizona State, then play at LSU and against Florida in Jacksonville. Throw in back-to-back home games against Alabama and Tennessee and a road game at Auburn, and it might be the toughest schedule in the country. If Georgia can navigate its way through the schedule with only one loss (or maybe two), 3. Oklahoma Sooners It's all about what's up front for the Sooners. Oklahoma has the country's top offensive line, led by Duke Robinson and Phil Loadholt, and one of the better defensive lines in the Big 12. With coach Bob Stoops switching to a no-huddle offense, the Sooners could be even more explosive than last season, when they led Division I-A with 80 touchdowns. Oklahoma doesn't have to play Missouri and gets Kansas and Texas Tech at home. 4. USC Trojans Even after losing 10 players to the NFL draft, the Trojans still have future draft picks stacked up like cordwood. Quarterback Mark Sanchez might be better than the departed John David Booty, and Arkansas transfer Damian Williams will become a big-play threat at wide receiver. Trojans coaches believe Allen Bradford has a chance to become the next great USC tailback. The Trojans will be even better on defense than they were last season. 5. Florida Gators Last year's 9-4 record was pretty humbling for the Gators, especially after they won the BCS title in coach Urban Meyer's second season in 2006. Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Tim Tebow won't be the only Gator running the football in 2008. USC transfer Emmanuel Moody and speedy freshman Chris Rainey will help alleviate some of the pressure on Tebow. Eight starters are back from what was a very young defense last season, and end Carlos Dunlap looks like a premier pass-rusher. The Gators play only one really tough road game: at Tennessee on Sept. 20. 6. Missouri Tigers With quarterback Chase Daniel and speedy kick returner/receiver Jeremy Maclin back, the Tigers should be explosive again on offense. New starters at left tackle and center must play well. Missouri also returns 10 starters from a very underrated defense, but linebacker is a concern after injuries and defections depleted the unit during the spring. Missouri doesn't play Oklahoma, Texas A&M or Texas Tech. 7. Clemson Tigers The Tigers appear to be the best team in the ACC, but how many times have we heard that during coach Tommy Bowden's tenure? The Tigers haven't won an ACC title since 1991, but this might be their best chance in a long, long time. Quarterback Cullen Harper, tailbacks James Davis and C.J. Spiller, and receiver Aaron Kelly lead what could be a very good offense -- if four new starters play well on the line. Replacing three starting linebackers also is a big concern. Clemson plays four of its first five games at home, but the opener against Alabama in the Georgia Dome will decide how the season goes. 8. Texas Longhorns Coach Mack Brown continues to haul in top-five recruiting classes each year, but bringing in defensive coordinator Will Muschamp from Auburn might have been his biggest addition in 2008. Muschamp wants the Longhorns to be meaner and more aggressive this season after they allowed 371.2 yards per game in 2007. On offense, Texas still hasn't settled on a starting tailback to replace Jamaal Charles, who led the Big 12 in rushing before bolting for the NFL draft. 9. West Virginia Mountaineers The Mountaineers appear to be the team to beat in the Big East, especially with Rutgers and South Florida each having big holes to fill. Quarterback Pat White and tailback Noel Devine give the Mountaineers the potential to have an explosive offense, and new coach Bill Stewart is very excited about his team's fast linebackers. 10. Auburn Tigers LSU has dismissed quarterback Ryan Perrilloux, which might open the door for Auburn in the SEC West. New offensive coordinator Tony Franklin still hasn't settled on a starting quarterback for his spread offense, but the Tigers will still be able to run the football. The Tigers will play Tennessee, LSU and Georgia at Jordan-Hare Stadium, and Florida rotates off the SEC schedule.
__________________ 2008 Black Knights Football - 12 wins isn't enough Last edited by Sgt John; 05-10-2008 at 03:47 PM. |
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