Post by Midvalleyftball79 on Aug 4, 2008 20:09:30 GMT -6
1. Oklahoma
Most people have Georgia #1 and if they sweep the SEC they will likely be, but Oklahoma will be a powerful force this year. They have an experienced talented QB in Sam Bradford and the best lines (both sides) in football with OL Duke Robinson (SR), LT Phil Loadholt, DT DeMarcus Granger (JR), DT Gerald McCoy (Sophomore) and De Austin English. If they can get good play out of their corners and linebackers they will go undefeated. Their schedule is very favorable, they won't see Missouri until the Big 12 championship and they play Kansas at home. They can't forget about Texas though, who will play them tough in the Red River Shootout.
2. Georgia
This team is loaded from top to bottom. A very talented young QB in Mathew Stafford (JR), an excellent receiver in Mohamed Massquoi and maybe the best running back in the nation in RB Knowshon Moreno (Sophomore). Their defensive line is going to be almost impossible to run against with DTs Geno Atkins (JR) and Jeff Owens on the inside. They have a tough schedule though and can't get tripped up at South Carolina on September 13th. Mark your calendar for November 1st when they play Florida at Jacksonville.
3. Ohio State
I could easily see the Buckeyes going un-defeated and playing for the National Championship again, They are clearly the class of the Big 10 and are loaded with future NFL talent in LBs James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, CB Malcolm Jenkins (SR), OT Alex Boone, QB Todd Boeckman (SR) and WR Brian Robiskie. They also have one of the top rated running backs in the nation in Chris Wells. If they beat USC in California on September 13th then they will be unstoppable.
4. USC
Another talented, star studded USC team with an experienced QB in Mark Sanchez and a top flight defense with LB Rey Maualuga (SR), DT Fili Moala (SR), LB Brian Cushing (SR), SS Kevin Ellison and FS Taylor Mayes. Their schedule is tough early, they battle with with Virginia, Ohio State, Oregon State, Oregon and Arizona State all before October 11th.
5. Florida
The Gators should put up some big numbers on offense with Heisman Trophy winner QB Tim Tebow and speedy WR Percy Harvin (JR), and they have a future NFL linebacker in LB Brandon Spikes (JR). They also have a quality tight end in Cornelius Ingram. Their schedule will be tough, but they have LSU at home. If they do get by Georgia on November 1st they have to make sure they don't get upset by in state rival Florida State in the last game of the year (Nov 29th).
6. Missouri
Missouri is the team no one wants to play, they have Heisman finalist QB Chase Daniel (SR), and a future NFL tight end in TE Chase Coffman. WR/returner Jeremy Maclin has 4.32 speed and recorded an amazing 1,055 receiving yards last season. They must replace their running back and their O-line is only average, but outside of that they are loaded. On defense they have LB Sean Weatherspoon, DT Ziggy Hood and the top safety in the nation in William Moore. Their schedule looks easy, except the opener on August 30th against Illinois. The next real test might be at Texas (Oct 18th) and against Kansas in Kansas City before they likely face a grudge match against Oklahoma in the Big 12 championship game.
7. West Virginia
Offensively they should put up huge numbers again in 2008 with QB Pat White and speedster RB Noel Devine (sophomore). Their O-line is talented and experienced, especially on the left side with with LG Greg Isdaner (JR) and LT Ryan Stanchek. Their defense will be a little suspect, but they have an easy schedule with the first real test against Rutgers on October 4th and Auburn on October 23rd.
8. Texas
Everyone is forgetting about Texas this year after a rough 2007. But make no mistake, they are a team that could rebound nicely. They have a talented, experienced QB in Colt McCoy and quality receiver in Quan Cosby. Their biggest challenge will be to replace all American RB Jamaal Charles. They will have a nice defense though led by DT Roy Miller, DE Brian Orakpo and LB Sergio Kindle (JR). They have a tough stretch with Oklahoma and Missouri back to back on October 11th and 18th.
9. Illinois
The Illini came out of no where last year, but this year they won't be under estimated. QB Juice Williams is back but they have to replace RB Rashard Mendenhall. WR Arrelios Benn will help, he is only a sophomore but he is blazing fast and talented. Converted TE Jeff Cumberland (JR) will be a dangerous weapon down the seam. Their defense should be their strength led by maybe the best cornerback in the nation in CB Vontae Davis (JR).
10. Kansas
The Jayhawks shocked the world last year, just 8 points shy of playing for a national championship (Loss to Missouri 28-36). They have a super talented, experienced QB in Todd Reesing and a quality RB in Jake Sharp. This team will win on defense as all but two starters return. S Darrell Stuckey and CB Chris Harris are the real deal and they get all three linebackers to return and they are all seniors: Mike Rivera, John Larson and Joe Mortensen. Their schedule is easy early, but they will be tested in back to back games against Oklahoma and Texas Tech on October 18th and 25th. Then they play Texas and Missouri in back to back games on November 15th and 29th. They need to win at least three of those games to compete for a national championship and that doesn't look likely.
11. Clemson
This team has tons of talent on offense: WR Aaron Kelly (SR), RB James Davis (SR) and RB C.J. Spiller (JR) will all be day one draft picks and QB Cullen Harper could be drafted much higher than people think with a strong season. Harper quietly three for almost 3,000 yards last year with 27 touchdowns. If the offensive line gels and the defense steps up they could compete for a BCS game. Watch newcomer sophomore LB Scotty Cooper.
12. Virginia Tech
Well they won the ACC Championship last year and they should battle with Clemson to win it again this year. That game (Clemson) on November 21st will be huge. They will have to replace a lot of talent that went to the NFL and they won't get RB Brandon Ore back, he was dismissed from the team and will be a Small School NFL Draft Prospect playing for West Liberty State. But the cupboard is not bare, OG Sergio Render (JR), will be a future NFL player, DB Victor Harris (SR), could be a 1st or second round pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, and they have an experienced senior QB in Sean Glennon. Watch talented new comer sophomore DE Jason Worilds.
13. LSU
LSU currently is a team loaded with talent except at one critical position, quarterback. QB Ryan Perrilloux was surprisingly dismissed from the team. Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee will compete for the job. They will have on of the best offensive lines in the nation, Senior OG Herman Johnson is a monster, he just isn't mean enough and left tackle Ciron Black will be a prize in the 2009 NFL Draft. Tiny RB Trindon Holliday (5' 6" 160 lbs) is one of the fastest players in the nation. DE Tyson Jackson (SR) had a mediocre junior season, but if he plays as good as a senior than he did as a sophomore he could be a top 20 NFL Draft pick.
14. Wisconsin
The Badgers are searching for a quarterback again this year and that position is the key to this team winning in the Big 10. Allan Evridge will be given the reigns at QB, he is a senior with talent, just no real game experience. They have a solid running back in P.J. Hill, one of the best tight ends in the nation in TE Travis Beckum, one of the best offensive guards in Kraig Urbik and a pass rushing terror in DE Matt Shaughnessy. Newcomer to watch is red shirt freshman, offensive tackle Josh Oglesby (6' 7" 335 lbs), he might not play much this year unless there are a few injuries, but he is a future star.
15. Auburn
A blur collar team, not flashy, but plenty of talent all around, especially on defense with junior DE Antonio Coleman (6' 2" 250 lbs) and junior DT Sen' Derrick Marks (6' 1" 290 lbs). On offense RBs Ben Tate (JR), Brad Lester (SR) and TE Gabe McKenzie (JR) are no slouches either. Keep an eye on sophomore newcomer DE Michael Coggans (6' 3" 256 lbs), teams will double team Coleman and he (Coggans) could have a big year.
16. Tennessee
The Vols are going to open up the offense this year with four and five receiver sets. They do have talent on offense with a powerful offensive line. Guard Anthony Parker is the main stud, but tackles Chris Scott and Ramon Foster are pretty good also. RB Arian Foster should finish as Tennessee's all time leading rusher. On defense they have one of the top five defensive players in the nation in safety Erik Berry, only a sophomore, but Berry could be a top 10 selection in the 2010 NFL Draft. Punter Britton Colquitt (SR), should be playing eventually, but he was suspended for the first five games of 2008. Keep an eye on sophomore receiver Gerald Jones, he should star in the new run and gun offense.
17. Texas Tech
This team should put up some huge offensive numbers with the best receiver in college football in sophomore WR Michael Crabtree and a very talented senior QB in Graham Harrell and OL Louis Vasquez (SR). Overall they return 16 starters and 61 letterman, remember last year they smashed Oklahoma's chance at a national championship by defeating them 34-27. Mark that rematch on your calendar for November 22nd 2008. If they beat Texas on November 1st, that game on the 22nd against Oklahoma could be for a BCS game.
18. Arizona State
They had a heck of a season last year, they won 10 games, but they didn't win a road game against a team with a winning record. So I think they were over rated. They will have a much tougher schedule this year, they play Georgia on September 22nd and then face two straight, tough road games against California, and USC. QB Rudy Carpenter (SR), RB Keegan Herring (SR) and WR Michael Jones (SR) all have NFL talent. Watch newcomer, sophomore CB Omar Bolden.
19. South Florida
I doubt this team starts out as hot as it did last year with a 6-0 start unless they beat Kansas on September 12th, but they are still loaded with talent. Junior DE George Selvie led the nation last year with 31.5 tackles for loss with an additional 14.5 sacks, but he will see double teams all year this season. Senior mohawk wearing QB Matt Grothe is back and Safety Nate Allen (JR) will be the star of the defensive backfield.
20. BYU
This team has a relatively easy schedule again, last year they went 11-2 and won their bowl game. They have a massive, talented offensive line, especially on the left side with. Seniors LOT Dallas Reynolds and LOG Ray Feinga both weigh over 330 pounds. QB Max Hall (JR) is back and pass rushing DE Jan Jorgensen will provide a spark to the defense. They are also set at tight end with 1st team MWC star Dennis Pitta and uber talented freshman Austin Holt (6' 6" 233 lbs), Holt was one of the top prep recruits in the nation.
What do you all think?
