| 2007 Preseason Top 25 |
| Rank |
Team |
Quick thoughts/questions... |
| 1 |
Southern Cal |
Just an embarrassment of talent. The backfield was already loaded with Parade All-American tailbacks and Pete Carroll still managed to bring in the cream of the crop in RB Joe McKnight from Louisiana - who many compare to Reggie Bush. Lack of focus on the road is the only potential pitfall. September 15 at Nebraska should be a real sharp early season test for the Trojans. |
| 2 |
Michigan |
Defensive depth is the only drawback but Michigan should have the offense to pummel their opponents. I really like Chad Henne as a darkhorse for the Heisman. The senior QB has an absolute cannon for an arm and the Wolverines could easily find themselves playing for the national championship. That's certainly been a good recipe for the Heisman in the past.
|
| 3 |
West Virginia |
This much everyone knows - It will take one massive defensive effort to contain QB Pat White and RB Steve Slaton. The question with the Mountaineers is on the other side of the ball. If this team really wants to compete at the highest level - and I'm talking in the nation, not just the Big East - then they are going to have to prove they can play some semblance of solid defense, especially in the secondary. |
| 4 |
LSU |
The Bayou Bengals return eight starters from a defense that led the SEC in scoring and total defense. QB Matt Flynn should prove a capable replacement for 1 pick JaMarcus Russell. |
| 5 |
Wisconsin |
The big question mark is who will replace John Stocco at QB? Then again, when you have a running game like the Badgers have with P.J. Hill, you certainly don't have to rely on the pass to move the ball. Bret Bielema has quickly established himself as one of the better coaches in the Big Ten. |
| 6 |
Texas |
Weakness is the secondary where just one starter returns after ranking 99th nationally in pass D in '06. That unit will be tested in Week 2 against intra-state opponent TCU and their dangerous offense. WR Limas Sweed is a clone of NFL star and former Longhorn Roy Williams. |
| 7 |
Virginia Tech |
The Hokies and their defense should be the class of the ACC - that group led the nation in total D in '06. Need to get better production out of QB Sean Glennon to really make some national noise. Points will be at a real premium in Week 2 when they travel to LSU. |
| 8 |
Florida |
Defense lost a ton of talent but don't write the champs off - Oct. 6 at LSU will be HUGE. The main question on offense is whether QB Tim Tebow can be as effective a passer as he is a runner. WR Percy Harvin might just be the most dangerous offensive weapon in college football. |
| 9 |
Oklahoma |
Early game against Miami will be interesting but, as always, the Texas game will decide the Big 12 South. Can the Sooners overcome the offseason drama in Norman? If so, Stoops will need to find a QB fast. |
| 10 |
Louisville |
No Coach Petrino? No problem. Brohm and company will light it up regardless. WRs Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia might be the best receiving tandem in college football. |
| 11 |
Cal |
RB Marshawn Lynch is gone so you will see more passing - ability of D is the question. |
| 12 |
Ohio State |
A bit of role reversal here as the Buckeyes are now chasing Michigan. Tressel will have to replace 12 starters from last year - six on each side of the ball. |
| 13 |
UCLA |
Tons of experience is back from '06 but still a long way to go to catch the Trojans. |
| 14 |
Tennessee |
Is this the year QB Erik Ainge puts it all together? At Cal to start the year should set the tone. |
| 15 |
Rutgers |
We should know very quickly just how valuable FB Bryan Leonard - now in the NFL - was to RB Ray Rice. |
| 16 |
Georgia |
Dawg D is usually solid but only four starters back this year - offense needs to step up, starting with QB Matthew Stafford. |
| 17 |
Auburn |
A solid top 20 team but they will have to work to be top five in brutal SEC - not sold on QB Brandon Cox. |
| 18 |
Texas Christian |
The Horned Frogs continue to fly under the radar but crashing the BCS could change that in a hurry. RB Aaron Brown is extremely talented. |
| 19 |
Nebraska |
At Wake Forest in Week 2 could be a real trap - entire D line must be replaced. |
| 20 |
Penn State |
Lots of talent back but the Nits must utilize WR Derrick Williams more in '07. |
| 21 |
Florida State |
As always, the talent is there but Bowden is facing one tough schedule - starting with his son and Clemson. |
| 22 |
Hawaii |
Move over Boise, Hawaii is ready to run the WAC. Greg McMackin is back as D coordinator - a real plus. |
| 23 |
South Florida |
QB Matt Grothe is just a flat out playmaker. Probably a stretch to win the Big East but they are talented. |
| 24 |
Boston College |
QB Matt Ryan is probably the best signal caller in the ACC - of course, that's really not saying much this year. Lookout on the sidelines, loss of Coach Tom O'Brien could really sting. |
| 25 |
Oregon State |
If QB Sean Canfield can step up this offense might really shine - RB Yvenson Bernard is a flat-out stud. |
| Others worth mentioning: Arkansas, Texas A&M, Boise State, Missouri, Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and South Carolina |
