College Football Preseason Top 25

By: Peter Legrand (College Football Executive)

 

*A brief word to all readers before you dive into my preseason Top 25. My 25 teams are not ranked in order of the top 25 talented or skilled teams. They are ranked in the order I project they will be in at the end of the regular season before the bowls begin. This may not seem like a big difference, but to those who regularly follow college football, you know that the #5 team is many times worse than the #7 or 8 team. For instance, I wouldn’t give #5 Boise State a prayer against my #10 team; LSU. However, I do list the team’s talent ranking in parenthesis along side their name… enjoy the preview

1. Florida (1)- projected regular season record: 13-0 The Gators figure to be the consensus #1 pick at the start of the year, and for good reason. The defending champs bring back all 11 defensive starters from the squad that gave up the fewest points per game in the SEC last season. They also return legendary quarterback Tim Tebow, who may end this season as the second two time Heisman winner. Add all the top-notch recruits that make up the Gators receiving and running cores, along with their sturdy offensive line, and you get a team that will be favored by at least a touchdown in every game this season

2. Texas (2)- proj. record: 12-1: The Longhorn’s were viewed by many as the team that deserved to play in the Big 12 and National title last season, and are hungry to prove this season that they belong. They return 16 starters from last years 12-1 team, including quarterback Colt McCoy, who completed a record 76.7% of his passes! They will have to face my #3 team Oklahoma at a neutral venue and #8 Oklahoma State on the road, but an unbeaten season is certainly within reach.

3. Oklahoma (3)- pr: 11-1: Oklahoma put up record offensive numbers last year in route to a flashy 12-1 regular season. However, it was not enough to beat the Gators, who clamped down on their passing assault, holding Heisman winning QB Sam Bradford to only 256 yards passing. However, a chance for redemption is certainly plausible this year, as the Sooners return Bradford, who set a NCAA record for passing efficiency, and their two stud running backs, Murray and Brown, who both rushed for over 1,000 yards. They also return 9 starters on defense. I don’t think they will be able to top Texas this year though, and if they tie atop Big 12 south again w/the Longhorns, they will not get the nod.

4. Alabama (4)-pr: 12-1: The Tide rolled through the SEC last year, getting off to a 12-0 record before dropping the SEC title game and the Sugar Bowl. They were thought to be a year ahead of schedule. This year they bring back 9 starters from a dominating defense that held opponents to 189 passing yards and 74 rushing yards a game. Their offense will be lead by a pair of super sophomores. On the ground by bruising running back Mark Ingram and in the air by playmaking wide-receiver Julio Jones. I expect them to get through the season unscathed again, but this is a call I’m extremely wary of, as they have some extremely tough tests against Virginia Tech in Atlanta, Ole Miss on the road, and LSU at home. I don’t think they can take Florida in an SEC title game rematch, but this is a definite National Title contender.

5. Boise State (14)-pr: 13-0: The Bronco’s from Boise are not in my top 10 most talented teams, but they have the schedule and enough skill to run through the year unbeaten. Lead by sophomore QB Kellen Moore, the offense should once again put up huge numbers. Their season will likely be decided early on in two important games: one against Oregon at home and on the road against Fresno State. The other test will be the home game late in season against under-rated Nevada in what could be a battle of unbeatens. However, I see Boise going all the way to an unbeaten season and being the “BCS buster team” of 2009.

6. USC (5)- pr: 11-1: The Trojans come into the 2009 season with only 3 returning starters on defense and a brand-new quarterback. However, it won’t stop them from contending for the national title. Their defensive holes will be filled by more highly valued recruits, and of course they have Taylor Mays, a safety who looks like a linebacker and runs like a cornerback, leading them. Their offense can be lead by the stable of great talents they have at running back until the new quarterback, whether it be sophomore Aaron Corp or freshman Matt Barkley, adjusts to being a starting college quarterback. A fifth straight trip to the Rose Bowl seems very likely.

7. Penn State (7)-pr: 11-1: The Nittany Lions were one last second FG from playing in the national title game last season. This year, they could be even better. The HD offense returns Daryll Clark and Evan Royster. Both have All-American talents. The defense will again be strong, especially since they get back MLB Sean Lee, who redshirted due to a torn ACL last season. They also face a very weak schedule. Though it makes sense for them to run the table, they’ll probably be favored in every game, I see at least one hiccup from this team like last year, and a rematch with USC in the Rose Bowl.

8. Oklahoma State (10): 11-1: The triplets of QB Zac Robinson, RB Kendall Hunter, and WR Dez Bryant make the Cowboys offense one of the most balanced and potent scoring threats in the nation. Balance is probably the best word to describe it. Last year the Cowboys averaged 242 passing yards and 245 rushing yards a game. That makes them almost impossible to stop. Just like Texas Tech pulled a stunning upset last year to make a three way tie atop the Big 12 south, I see Oklahoma State pulling a similar stunt this season. They won’t be near as good defensively as either Oklahoma or Texas, but they’re a scoring machine. They will get a good test in the first week of the season, when they host #18 most talented team, Georgia.

9. Virginia Tech (8): 11-2: The Hokies were fortunate to win the ACC last year, but this season I believe they will be the undisputed best team. They will once again have a top notch defense, along with a strong offense, lead by play-making quarterback Tyrod Taylor and running back Darren Evans. They will get some early season challenges against Alabama and Nebraska, and how they deal with those games will probably effect the way they develop later in the season. This is a team that could very well challenge for a national title if they can pass their early tests.

10. LSU (6): 10-2: The Tigers have one of the most difficult schedules in the land, having to play Georgia, Florida, Ole Miss, and Alabama, along with a road game against a much improved Washington Huskie team. However, I still see them getting to double digit wins. They have one of the best wide receiving cores in the country and an All-American caliber running back in Charles Scott. Their defense returns 7 starters and adds Craig Loston, rated by Phil Steele as the top defensive back recruit this season. The key to their season will be young quarterback Jordan Jefferson. He started the last two games, and while he showed flashes of greatness, only completed 49.3% of his passes. If Jefferson can manage the game well and keep the ball in their hands, LSU could definetly challenge for the SEC West title.

11. Ohio State (9): 10-2: The Buckeye’s will have another good defense and an offense with explosive possibilities. Young QB Terrelle Pryor reminds many people of Vince Young, and for good reason. He has the ability to keep the Buckeye’s in every game. The way he handles the USC defense will define Ohio State this year. Ohio State’s inability to win the big games has made them somewhat of a laughing stock to many people, and Pryor and company are out to prove that they belong in the discussion for another national title. However, I believe they are at least one more year away from that, but will call for a double digit win season.

12. Notre Dame (12): 10-2: Call me crazy, but the Golden-domers are back! Led by Jimmy Clausen, I see their offense being very formidable. They also bring back 6 starters on defense, and bring in the top-rated LB, Manti Te’o, who they expect to make an immediate impact. Most important is the weak schedule. Notre Dame will most likely be favored in 11 of their games, and they get USC at home and on a down year (or at least as most like a down year as you ever see from USC)… I could definitely see the Irish running the table, but think the pressure will get to the Irish late in the year. However, 10 wins will be seen as a huge success, and I see them getting an opportunity for making a BCS bowl.

13. BYU (16): 11-1: If the Cougars didn’t have to travel to Norman to face Oklahoma the first week of the season, they would be in my top 10. That’s not their sole test however, as they must face Florida State and TCU as well this year. Luckily, they get both of them at home and have one of the nation’s top QB’s in senior Max Hall. They return 8 starters on defense too, and if they somehow upset Oklahoma, not only could they contend for a BCS berth but a berth in the National Title!

14. Ole Miss (11): 10-2: The Rebels jumped into the national spotlight for the first time since Eli Manning played for them by upsetting LSU and Texas Tech. This year they will not sneak up on anybody, and have an excellent shot at reaching the SEC title game. Their schedule aligns perfectly with success, as they avoid the top teams from the SEC east and get their rivals for supremacy in the West at home. They return 16 starters overall and junior QB Jevan Snead is a Heisman candidate. It really does worry me to put them all the way at 14, but I don’t think they are ready yet to handle the hype.

15. Cal (13): 10-2: Jeff Tedford has his best team yet this year, led by Heisman candidate running back Javid Best. Best rushed for 1580 yards last year, and there’s no reason he can’t improve on that. They return 8 starters on defense and play USC at home this season. I would not be surprised at all if Cal wins that game. However, they have 5 Pac-10 away games this season, and I see them dropping at least one of them. It would not be a surprise if they made a trip to the Rose Bowl.
The Rest of the top 25…

16. (17) TCU projected record in parenthesis: (11-1)
17. (24) West Virginia (10-2)
18. (15) Georgia Tech (9-3)
19. (18) Georgia (9-3)
20. (20)Nebraska (9-4)
21. (NR)Rutgers (10-2)
22. (22)Oregon (9-3)
23. (21)Illinois (9-3)
24. (NR) Southern Mississippi (11-2)
25. (25) Pittsburgh (9-3)

Just missed it: Iowa (Iowa is #19 in the power poll though), NC State, North Carolina, Nevada, Wake Forest, Central Michigan, USF, Cincinnati, Houston, Florida State (#23 in the power poll)