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1. Ohio State Buckeyes
Although the Buckeyes aren’t the most interesting, explosive, or even talented team in college football this year, they are the clear Big 10 favorites and will have the kind of record you need to play in the BCS Title game. Ohio State looks to be the first Big Ten school in 112 years to win three straight outright championships. Even if they drop the early non-conference game to USC, look for Ohio State to back in the BCS again this year.
2. Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia might be the most talented team this year, but they play one of the hardest schedules in college football. The Bulldogs struggled early in the 2007 season, but went out on fire and will need to continue that dominance into 2008. They’ve got road games against Florida, LSU, and South Carolina. Mix that in with back to back home games against Tennessee and Alabama and they’ve got their work cut out for them. If they can get through this season with one or two losses, look for them to meet OSU on January 8th.
3. Florida Gators
All you really need to say about the Florida Gators in 2008 is Tim Teabow. He runs for touchdowns, he throws for touchdowns, and he is only improving. His surrounding staff of returning offensive threats Percy Harvin, Cornelius Ingram, returning ‘07 recruit Chris Rainey, and USC transfer Emmanuel Moody will score points. The young defense is returning 8 starters and their added experience could make Florida a national championship contender in 2008.
4. Oklahoma Sooners
Look for another old school Bob Stoops Sooners team, Oklahoma will have the best offensive line in the country and one of the best defensive lines in the Big 12. The offense switching to a no-huddle offense could add to their 80 touchdown total from last season. Not to mention Oklahoma gets by without taking on Missouri, and playing Kansas and Texas Tech in Oklahoma.
5. USC Trojans
It wouldn’t be a preseason Top 5 without USC. The Trojans did what they always do, losing 10 players to the NFL. Bringing in Mark Shanchez makes their 2008 season mildly unpredictable but Pete Carrol will find a way to get this team back to the BCS. Look for Damian Williams, an Arkansas transfer at wide-receiver to have a big year while coaches say Allen Bradford will be the next great USC running back. Returning a couple of All-Americans on defense make USC a Top 5 team again this year.
6. Missouri Tigers
Missouri is a contender in college football again, largely thanks to coach Gary Pinkel who has spent seven years getting this team rolling again. The Tigers finished the 2007 season in a New Years Day bowl game for the first time in 40 years. Returning 15 starters from the best team in school history for 2008 will help this program continue to roll. With returning quarterback Chase Daniel who will add on to his record setting numbers and help keep the Tigers respectable this year.
7. Texas Longhorns
Coach Mack Brown continues to bring in top-five recruiting classes but bringing in defensive coordinator Will Muschamp from Auburn might have been his biggest addition in 2008. Muschamp is totally reshaping the Texas defense. He wants the Longhorns to be much tougher this season this season after they allowed 370 yards per game in 2007. Colt McCoy will improve in his third year and their offensive line has always proved solid. The big question mark in Texas this year is who will replace tailback Jamaal Charles, who is NFL bound in 2008.
8. Auburn Tigers
There is a very good chance you won’t see a huddle at all in Auburn this year. After a dismal start to the 07 season the Tigers brought in Tony Franklin from Troy to revamp the offense and he is really changing things for Auburn. Dominating running back Ben Tate will make up for the fact that they are still undecided at quarterback. It also helps that Auburn gets Tennessee, LSU and Georgia at home this season and Florida moves off their schedule.
9. Clemson Tigers
Remember the name Cullen Harper as we roll into the 2008 season. He quietly set a school record for touchdowns, is second in school history in passing yards, and was one of the most accurate passers in the country in 2007. Mix Harper in with the two headed monster at tailback - James Davis and C.J. Spiller, and the Tigers are going to put some points on the board this season. Tommy Bowden should get the Clemson Tigers their first ever BCS bid this season.
9. West Virginia Mountaineers
The Mountaineers should to be the team to beat in the Big East, especially with Rutgers and South Florida each having big time players move on to the pro level. Quarterback Pat White will be a Heisman candidate and running back Noel will give the Mountaineers the potential to have an explosive offense. New coach Bill Stewart is very excited about his team's fast linebackers and point scoring threats.
10. LSU Tigers
The Tigers are in a similar position to USC in 2008. They lost a lot of power and big play potential to the NFL (or in Perrilloux’ case to transfer) but their history says they will be a conference contender again this year. If football games are won and lost in the trenches, LSU will win a lot of games this year. Glenn Dorsey is gone, but LSU returns 3 O-Linemen and 3 D-linemen that all benefited from Dorsey’s ability. Look for the Tigers to win a lot of close, low scoring games in 2008.
11. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Texas Tech is the 2008 sleeper team. Returning record setting quarterback Graham Harrell and receiver Michael Crabtree will be one of the more dynamic and exciting duo’s in football. Coach Mike Leach is overly excited about the teams improved defense. The Red Raiders are bigger and deeper up front with the addition of a couple big junior college transfers. Look for Texas Tech to have a big season.
12. Wisconsin Badgers
If the Badgers could trade a running back for a quarterback this preseason, they would be a National Championship contender. The four-banger of backs, led by P.J. Hill and Zach Brown will make up one of the best running cores in the country. However there is no quarterback to be found in Wisconsin as coach Bret Bielema will more then likely wait until preseason camps to name one. A dominant running game in a weak Big 10 is enough to generate double digit wins and another respectable Badger season.
13. Kansas Jayhawks
The Jayhawks lost a few large pieces to their amazing 12-1 season last year. Tailback Brandon McAnderson, receiver Marcus Henry, offensive tackle Anthony Collins and cornerback Aqib Talib are all NFL bound. However quarterback Todd Reasing returns to lead a quality offense and the Jayhawks defense is returning 9 starters. It might be a little more defense and a little less offense this year, but the Jayhawks are Big 12 contenders again.
14. Arizona State Sun Devils
Arizona State will be making some changes to the playbook this year. Coach Dennis Erickson looks to build on their 10-3 season last year by adding more 4 and 5 receiver sets on offense, blitzes and zone reads on defense. Erickson also brought in a couple big junior college linemen to help protect quarterback Rudy Carpenter who was sacked a school record 55 times last season.
15. BYU Cougars
BYU is going to be the Hawaii of 2008. BYU returns 10 starters from an offense that averaged 440 yards and 30 points per game. Quarterback Max Hall is surrounded by an army of playmakers and should be better in his second full season. The defense has to replace three of four linebackers, but BYU looks to be the small conference school to contend with the big dogs this year. The Cougars will easily be the class of the Mountain West Conference and might even finish unbeaten.
16. Illinois Fighting Illini
Quarterback Juice Williams is determined to become more of a quarterback ad less of an athlete who lines up under center and takes off with the ball. His completion percentage jumped 20 points last year and he continues to work to improve his passing ability. With the loss of Rashard Mendenhall the passing game is going to have to become more of a threat. Coach Ron Zook is bringing in his third straight nationally ranked recruiting class as the Illini’s talent continues to get better and better.
17. Tennessee Volunteers
Look for a new brand of football being played in Tennessee this year. With a new quarterback and three talented tailbacks, starring Arian Foster, look for the ground game to carry most of the load. Coach Fulmer overhauled the coaching staff, bringing in a spread offense for Jonathan Crompton, the new guy under center. The Vols play a difficult SEC type schedule and should finish behind Georgia and Florida this year.
18. Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer has a pair of quarterbacks with complementary styles. Sean Glennon, the dropback passer, and Tyrod Taylor, the dual threat; and he has an offensive line with four returning starters. The problem comes at running back, where there is no every down back to be found; and receiver, where the Hokies have no returners who caught more than 3 passes last year. The defense will be strong yet again, giving Virginia Tech a shot at the Big East this year.
19. Penn State Nittany Lions
Looks like status quo for Penn State this year, 16 starters are expected back. Quarterback Daryll Clark should be more mobile than departed starter Anthony Morelli and there's a boatload of talented receivers coming back. Road games at Ohio State and Wisconsin are tough tests for Joe Paterno’s squad this year, as 10-2 is starting to be a standard at Beaver Stadium.
20. Pittsburg Panthers
Bill Stull injured his thumb in 2007, but is the frontrunner for the starting quarterbacking job this year. Stull is back this year more mobile, and with a stronger arm. If the Pangers can pass the ball to help LeSean McCoy in the backfield, their offence should be one of the best in the Big East. The defense is getting better and better as seen in the finale last year where they shut down West Virginia.
21. Oregon Ducks
The Ducks were in the national championship conversation last fall before the knee injury to quarterback Dennis Dixon silenced the talk. This opens the door for Justin Roper who showed signs of potential in limited time at the end of the ‘07 season. Oregon is also losing Jonathan Stewart, a 1,500 yard rusher who will be replaced by highly regarded Junior College tailback LeGarrette Blount. The Ducks have a lot of question marks this year, mix that in with road games at Purdue, USC, Cal and Arizona State and Oregon might fall back into the back this year.
22. South Florida Bulls
One of the up and coming programs in college football, the South Florida Bulldogs continue to be a strong team. Matt Grothe is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation and is returning with seven defensive starters. With the growing popularity at Raymond James Stadium comes an increase in recruiting, and in out of conference schedule. The Bulls add Kansas to Pitt and Rutgers making their schedule much more formidable in 2008.
23. Fresno State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs bring back 10 starters on offense, including tailback Ryan Mathews and quarterback Tom Brandstater . The defense is much more shaky as Coach Pat Hill will have to replace 2007 WAC Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Riley. As usual, the Bulldogs play a tough non-conference schedule with games against Rutgers, Wisconsin and UCLA leaving them no room for error.
24. Wake Forrest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest is enjoying the most successful period of its football history, and all the credit goes to its coach. Jim Grobe has instilled a disciplined, blue-collar approach to the game and it has resulted in 20 wins over the last two years. The Demon Deacons return 14 starters including quarterback Riley Skinner and tailback Josh Adams making them a ACC threat yet again.
25. Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State rounds out the top 25 and they round out a very mediocre Big 10 this year. While the 2007 season was full of let downs, losing five games by six points are less, this is a team on the rise. If they can find a way to replace their receiving core they should win more of their close games in 2008. Michigan State also has one of the most
difficult Big 10 schedules, going on the road to Cal, Michigan, and Penn State.
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